Huge shifts in the latest ICC rankings across both formats of cricket after England’s Harry Brook returned to the top of the Test batting charts following some sensational displays
Such has been Brook’s form of late, that he’s now back to being ranked as the No. 1 Test batter in the world for the first time since 2024 and Leapfrogging his England teammate Joe Root. The list shuffles after the victory for England of New Zealand at Lord’s, Brook contributing a crucial fifty in one of those low-scoring games that don’t really bear analysis. Root, meanwhile had an uncharacteristically off match which saw his drop to third. Up one place to number 2 is Australia’s Travis Head, further packing the top of the batting table with competition.
One of the biggest gainers this time was India’s Shubman Gill. His amazing century against Afghanistan has helped him gain two places in the list and make it to no. 10 on the ICC Test Batter charts. Gill’s knock was instrumental in India’s massive innings-and-300-run victory – one of the biggest-ever wins for India in Tests.
There was a significant shuffle in the bowling rankings as well. New Zealand were the other big movers, with England fast bowler Gus Atkinson entering the top ten Test bowlers His match haul of seven wickets, five in the second innings gave him a massive rankings boost. Atkinson, too, progressed in the Test allrounders rankings owing to his dual efforts with bat and ball.
Pakistan’s bowlers a fine week in ODI cricket post series win over Australia. Quick newcomer Abrar Ahmed stormed to second place in the ODI bowling rankings after causing major problems for Australian batters over the whole series. Even left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi, who picked seven wickets in three matches, managed to break into the top 10.
Among the biggest gainers in rankings, one was Bangladesh speedster Nahid Rana. His four-wicket haul against Australia in the first ODI at Mirpur helped him make a stunning jump of 23 places. His swift rise ended as the floor raised his hand, a sign of every journalist’s seat in front of its guests.
As one of the premier battles going on around the globe with many major series ongoing, expect even more changes in mere weeks time as players look to gain integrity in all formats.
