ICC Test Rankings: Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul achieve career best rankings; Ravindra Jadeja loses all-rounder top spot

Dhawan and Rahul got India off to a flyer in the third Test at Kandy as they managed a 188-run opening stand which set the tone for a 3-0 clean sweep over the home side. While Dhawan hit a majestic 119, Rahul chipped in with a valuable 85 and it has resulted in both achieving their personal bests in the latest ICC Test rankings. While the left-handed Dhawan has moved up to 10 places to 28th position, Rahul has moved two places in the latest rankings to equal his career-best of ninth attained in July earlier this year. However, his present tally of 761 rating points is his highest till date.

But both Dhawan and Rahul were eclipsed by Hardik Pandya as the all-rounder smashed his maiden Test century in his debut series and his efforts have seen him jump a mammoth 45 places up to a career best 68th rank among batsmen. On the other hand, there was reason to celebrate for the bowlers too with seamers Mohammad Shami (up one place to 19th position) and Umesh Yadav (up one place up to career-best 21st position) also rewarded in the latest ICC rankings.

Meanwhile, Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav, who came in for a suspended Ravindra Jadeja, jumped 29 slots up to 58th place after his second four-for (in his two Test career) and a total five wickets in the Test. Sri Lanka’s Lakshan Sandakan, too, finished with five wickets in the match to move to 57th.

But Jadeja himself slipped to second in all rounder charts after missing the third Test in Pallekele due to the accumulation of demerit points. Bangladesh’s Shakib Al- Hasan has 431 rating points to his name while Jadeja is two points worse. But the India spinner and middle order batsman continued to be the top-ranked bowler in ICC Test rankings.

In the team rankings, India have strengthened their foothold at the top of the ladder to reach 125 points and increased the lead over South Africa to 15 points.

Here are the latest ICC Test Rankings:

ICC Test Rankings – Batsmen

1. Steve Smith – 941 points

2. Joe Root – 891 points

3. Kane Williamson – 880 points

4. Cheteshwar Pujara – 876 points

5. Virat Kohli – 806 points

6.Jonny Bairstow – 772 points

7. Azhar Ali – 769 points

8.  Hashim Amla – 764 points

9. KL Rahul – 761 points

10. Ajinkya Rahane – 760 points

ICC Test Rankings – Bowlers

1. Ravindra Jadeja – 884 points

2. James Anderson – 860 points

3. R Ashwin – 852 points

4. Josh Hazlewood – 826 points

5. Rangana Herath – 809 points

6. Kagiso Rabada – 785 points

7. Stuart Broad – 775 points

8. Dale Steyn – 763 points

9. Vernon Philander – 751 points

10. Neil Wagner – 745 points

ICC Test Rankings – All Rounders

1. Shakib Al Hasan – 431 points

2. Ravindra Jadeja – 429 points

3. R Ashwin – 421 points

4. Moeen Ali – 409 points

5. Ben Stokes – 360 points

6. Vernon Philander – 331 points

7. Mitchell Starc – 318 points

8. Jason Holder – 217 points

9. Stuart Broad – 206 points

10. Rangana Herath – 203 points