Pakistani cricket sensation Babar Azam has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC ODI rankings with an impressive 824 rating points. This accomplishment follows India’s Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, who are in second and third place with 810 and 775 rating points, respectively. Azam’s resurgence to the summit came after India’s Gill took a break from the ongoing series against South Africa.
On the bowling front, England legspinner Adil Rashid has ascended to become the No. 1 ranked bowler in T20Is. Rashid’s outstanding performance in England’s ongoing series in the West Indies, where he claimed seven wickets in the first four T20Is, propelled him ahead of other legspinners such as Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan (No. 2) and India’s Ravi Bishnoi (No. 3). Notably, Rashid’s achievement comes right after he remained unsold during the IPL 2024 auction.
Meanwhile, in the Test rankings, Kane Williamson retains his No. 1 spot, while Australia’s Usman Khawaja makes a significant leap, moving up three places to fourth. This movement follows Australia’s victory against Pakistan in Perth, with another opportunity to narrow the gap during the upcoming Boxing Day Test match.
The Test bowling rankings have witnessed notable shifts, with Pat Cummins climbing up to third place, Nathan Lyon securing the fifth spot, Mitchell Starc ranking eighth, and Josh Hazlewood claiming the tenth position. R Ashwin from India maintains his status as the No. 1 ranked bowler in Tests.
These rankings reflect the dynamic performances of cricket stars across formats, setting the stage for exciting cricket battles and rivalries in the upcoming matches. Babar Azam’s resurgence and Adil Rashid’s ascent add intriguing storylines to the cricketing landscape, promising fans a thrilling season ahead.
