The ICC has released the latest Test rankings for batsmen after the completion of the Sydney Test on Monday. Steve Smith, who smashed his 27th Test century in SCG has now secured second place in the Test rankings, surpassing Indian captain Virat Kohli.
Smith, who failed to perform in the first two Test against India, roared back into form with a stunning 131 in the first innings of the Sydney Test and followed it up with a crucial 81 in the second innings. His 212 runs in the Test match took him past Indian skipper Virat Kohli.
Notably, Virat Kohli headed back to India to witness the birth of his first child with her wife Anushka Sharma. Anushka gave birth to a daughter on Monday.
Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson remains number 1 with 919 points. Talking about India, Cheteshwar Pujara has climbed two places to reach the 8th position. Pujara had scored 77 runs in the Sydney Test. Also India stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane has lost one place and now slipped to 7th position.
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne and Pakistan skipper Babar Azam retained their spots at No. 4 and No. 5 respectively. Labuschagne, however, achieved a career-best 866 points after he scored 91 and 73 in the Sydney Test.
Australia’s Josh Hazlewood has also made a jump in ICC rankings and has now moved from 8th to 5th spot, while his compatriot Pat Cummins stands at number one with 908 rating points. Stuart Broad of England and Neil Wagner of New Zealand are at number three.
Talking about Indian players, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has lost 1 place and has moved to 10th position. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has now fallen two places to secure the 9th position.