One cannot just refer to Ravichandran Ashwin as an ace spinner, not at least after his heroics both with the bat and the ball in the first Test match against West Indies in Antigua few days ago. Ashwin was also adjudged the man of the match and the cricket fans across the globe could not stop praising this talented young cricketer.
As a result of his five-wicket haul in the first Test match against West Indies in the second innings, Ashwin has reclaimed the top bowler's spot in the latest ICC Test rankings.
Ashwin has 876 points and he has managed to tip England's James Anderson by just a solitary point. Ravindra Jadeja retained the sixth position in the rankings table.
Pakistan's Yasir Shah has also moved up to the fifth spot in the rankings after his impressive show against England during the first Test at Lord's.
Australia skipper Steve Smith continued to rule the list at the top of the ICC Test rankings as the best batsman with 925 points. He is being followed by Joe Root and Kane Williamson closely at no. 2 and 3, respectively. India Test captain Virat Kohli too have moved up the ranking and has been placed at the 12th spot after his maiden double hundred against West Indies in Antigua few days ago.
The kind of form Kohli is in, he can sneak into the top 10 anytime soon. He still has 16 more Test matches in his hands this season. So one should not play down that chance easily.
Here are the latest ICC Test rankings:
Top 10 bowlers in Tests:
1. Ravichandran Ashwin (876)
2. James Anderson (875)
3. Stuart Broad (852)
4. Dale Steyn (841)
5. Yasir Shah (832)
6. Ravindra Jadeja (781)
7. Trent Boult (757)
8. Josh Hazlewood (741)
9. Morne Morkel (724)
10. Vernon Philander (717)
Top 10 batmen in Tests:
1. Steve Smith (925)
2. Joe Root (901)
3. Kane Williamson (868)
4. Hashim Amla (860)
5. AB de Villiers (818)
6. Adam Voges (811)
7. David Warner (800)
8. Misbah-ul-Haq (790)
9. Alastair Cook (788)
10. Younus Khan (784)
**12.Virat Kohli (757)
