Published: November 27, 2024
India’s cricketing maestro Virat Kohli has made a significant leap in the ICC Test batting rankings following a sensational century in the first Test against Australia in Perth. Kohli’s unbeaten 30th Test hundred, his first international century of 2024, not only helped India secure a massive 295-run victory but also propelled him nine places up the rankings to claim the 13th spot.
Kohli’s Revival in Red-Ball Cricket
After a string of underwhelming performances in Test cricket, Kohli demonstrated his trademark resilience at the Optus Stadium. Recovering from a first-innings failure where he scored just five runs, the 36-year-old returned to form in spectacular fashion, anchoring India’s second innings with an unbeaten ton. This stellar performance saw Kohli surpass Marnus Labuschagne and Babar Azam in the rankings, reasserting his stature as one of the game’s finest.
As Kohli chases the 10,000-run milestone in Test cricket, his performance in the remaining four matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be crucial.
Other Indian Movers in the Rankings
- Yashasvi Jaiswal, India’s young opener, climbed to the second position in the ICC Test rankings with 825 rating points, following his brilliant 161-run knock in Perth.
- Rishabh Pant retained his 6th position with 736 points despite a modest outing in the series opener.
- KL Rahul, under scrutiny for his recent form, silenced critics with scores of 26 and 77 in Perth, earning a 13-place jump to reclaim a spot in the top 50 at 49th with 535 rating points.
- Shubman Gill slipped one place to 17th with 673 points, while Rohit Sharma held firm at 26th with 623 points.
- Ravindra Jadeja, despite being known primarily for his all-round abilities, is ranked 50th among Test batters with 534 points.
Indians in ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings
| Rank | Player | Rating Points | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | 825 | +1 |
| 6 | Rishabh Pant | 736 | – |
| 13 | Virat Kohli | 689 | +9 |
| 17 | Shubman Gill | 673 | -1 |
| 26 | Rohit Sharma | 623 | – |
| 49 | KL Rahul | 535 | +13 |
| 50 | Ravindra Jadeja | 534 | -3 |
What’s Next?
As the series progresses, Kohli and other Indian batters will aim to consolidate their positions in the rankings while maintaining their dominance over Australia. Fans will be keen to see if Yashasvi Jaiswal can dethrone Joe Root from the No. 1 spot and whether Virat Kohli can break into the top 10 once again.
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