Kohli reclaims top Test spot post match-winning show

Dubai [United Arab Emirates], August 23 (ANI): Indian skipper Virat Kohli has reclaimed the top position in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Player Ranking following a brilliant batting performance in the recently-concluded third Test against England in Nottingham.

The 29-year-old reached a personal best of 937 rating points and is now standing just one point behind a group of four in the all-time list, with a good chance of going past them on current form that has seen him score 440 runs in the series.

Kohli's useful contribution of 97 and 103 runs in the third Test against England not only helped his team to reduce the deficit in the ongoing five-match series to 2-1 but also helped the squad win the recently-concluded match by 203 runs.

The top 10 in the all-time list are Don Bradman (961 points), Steven Smith (947), Len Hutton (945), Jack Hobbs (942), Ricky Ponting (942), Peter May (941), Gary Sobers, Clyde Walcott, Vivian Richards and Sangakkara (all 938 points).

Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara, who ended on the sixth spot in the list, remains the second highest ranked India batsman in the list.

While Ajinkya Rahane jumped four places to attain the 19th position, Shikhar Dhawan also leaped four spots to attain 22nd rank on the list.

In the Test bowlers' ranking, Hardik Pandya gained 23 slots to reach his career-best position of 51.

Pandya had played a crucial part in India's victory at Nottingham as he scalped a haul of five wickets in the first innings which led to England batting order's downfall at a meagre total of 161 runs.

Another Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah also scaled to a career-best 37th position after an impressive bowling performance against England in the second innings of the third Test.

For England, Jos Buttler's valiant 106 in the second innings has lifted him 22 places to 47th position. Adil Rashid's unbeaten 33 in the second innings of the third Test has seen him gain eight slots to reach 116th position.

Rashid has also gained four slots to reach 47th position among bowlers after grabbing four wickets in the match, while Chris Woakes has gained one place to reach 31st position after also finishing with four wickets in the third Test.

After losing the first two Tests of the five-match series, India registered a thumping 203-run victory over England in Nottingham. They will now take on England in the fourth Test, beginning August 30 at Rose Bowl Cricket Ground in Hampshire.' (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI