Joe Root Regains Top Spot in ICC Test Rankings

In the world of cricket, rankings play a crucial role in determining the best players. Recently, England’s Joe Root has made headlines by regaining his position as the top-ranked batter in the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings. This achievement comes after an impressive series against the West Indies, where Root showcased his exceptional batting skills.

During the series, Root scored a total of 291 runs across three matches. His performance included a vital score of 87 in the final Test held in Birmingham. This remarkable display of talent allowed him to surpass New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, who previously held the No.1 spot. Root had last held this prestigious position a year ago, making his comeback even more significant.

As a result of Root’s outstanding performance, Williamson has now dropped to second place in the Test batter rankings. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Babar Azam and New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell are tied for third place. Australia’s Steve Smith and India’s Rohit Sharma occupy the fifth and sixth positions, respectively. It is worth noting that England’s Harry Brook has fallen four places to seventh due to a less impactful series.

In the Test bowler rankings, England captain Ben Stokes has climbed four spots to 30th, thanks to his role as an opener. His teammates, Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson, have also seen improvements, moving to 20th and 46th positions, respectively, reflecting their strong bowling performances. For Test all-rounders, Stokes has advanced to sixth, while Chris Woakes has moved up to ninth. Ravindra Jadeja remains the top-ranked all-rounder with a significant lead.

Shifting focus to the T20I rankings, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill have made notable advances. Jaiswal has moved up to fourth place, while Gill has achieved a career-high 21st position. This shift has pushed Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan down to fifth and sixth places, respectively. In the T20I bowler rankings, Ravi Bishnoi has re-entered the top 10 after an impressive eight-place jump. Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar, and Mohammed Siraj have also seen improvements, while Matheesha Pathirana of Sri Lanka has risen to 77th place.

In the T20I all-rounder rankings, Australia’s Marcus Stoinis has reclaimed the No.1 position, overtaking Wanindu Hasaranga, who has dropped to equal third. This dynamic landscape of player rankings highlights the competitive nature of international cricket.

Joe Root’s return to the top of the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings is a testament to his skill and determination. As cricket fans, it is exciting to witness such talent and competition among the world’s best players. The rankings not only reflect individual performances but also add to the thrill of the game, making every match an opportunity for players to shine and improve their standings.