Virat Kohli, on the back of impressive performances in India’s home season, has regained the top spot in the ICC rankings for Test batsmen after Steve Smith failed to make an impact in Australia’s 2-0 series sweep against Pakistan.
Kohli posted his highest-ever Test score in the second Test against South Africa and followed it up with a century to remember in India’s first day-night Test at the Eden Gardens against Bangladesh. David Warner, with a century and a triple-ton against Pakistan, has moved into the top 5, with Ajinkya Rahane dropping down to sixth.
Kane Williamson, who scored a ton in New Zealand’s 2nd Test against England, stays in third while Cheteshwar Pujara continues to occupy the fourth position.
Smith, who had rocketed up to the top of the rankings in September with a superlative show in the Ashes, managed returns of 4 and 36 in the two matches against Pakistan, which saw him drop to second place. While Kohli has 928 points, Smith is now five points adrift with 923 points.
With India’s next Test assignment slated for Feb., 2020 when they tour New Zealand, Smith will have a chance to go past Kohli when Australia host the Kane Williamson-led team in a 3-match series starting Dec.12.
This post was published on December 5, 2019 5:00 pm