R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja spun a web around Australia with the ball to script India’s innings and 132-run victory in the opening Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test at VCA Stadium, Nagpur.
Jadeja ran through the Australian batting line-up in the first innings, picking a five-wicket haul (5-47) to bundle out the visitors for a paltry 177.
After India took a massive first-innings lead of 223 runs, it was Ashwin’s turn to demolish the Aussies with the ball. The veteran off-spinner returned with the figures of 5 for 37 in his 12 overs as the hosts bowl out the tourists for a mere 91 to wrap the match inside three days.
As a result, the spin twin has made gains in the updated ICC Men’s Test Rankings for Bowlers.
Ashwin, who took eight wickets in the Nagpur Test, has jumped to the second spot in the Test bowler rankings, 21 rating points behind Australia skipper Pat Cummins and a return to the numero uno position for the first time since 2017.
On the other hand, Jadeja has moved up to the 16th position, courtesy his Player-of-the-Match exploits in Nagpur.
India skipper Rohit Sharma has been rewarded for his match-winning hundred in the first Test with a rise from 10th to 8th in the ICC Men's Test Batting Rankings.
Rohit came to the crease after Australia were bundled out for 177 in their first innings and made the pitch look flat with an assured 120 that set the tone for the rest of the match.
In contrast, Australia openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja have paid the price for each being dismissed cheaply twice.
Warner has fallen six places to 20th after his scores of 1 and 10, while Khawaja has dropped two spots to 10th after only making 1 and 5 in the first Test against India.
India all-rounder Akshar Patel has advanced six places to 7th in the ICC Men's Test All-Rounder Rankings after coming to the crease at a tense 240/7 then hitting a patient 84 for his highest score in Tests.
Kraigg Brathwaite is another Test captain to rise in the batting rankings as the West Indies opener moved four spots to 21st after notching 182 in the first Test against Zimbabwe.
The West Indies skipper’s opening partner Tagenarine Chanderpaul made an even bigger leap, as the 26-year-old climbed 28 spots to 58th after his huge 207* in the same Test against Zimbabwe.
(With ICC Inputs)
