Last week in Test cricket was an action-packed one, as three important series concluded: India versus Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, South Africa versus Pakistan, and Zimbabwe’s clash with Afghanistan.
This series not only produced exciting cricket but also led to fundamental changes in the ICC player rankings.
In the second Test between South Africa and Pakistan, which proved to be a high-scoring affair, several players saw significant shifts in rankings.
Ryan Rickleton was named Player of the Match for his stunning double century (259), which moved him up to 48th to 55th in the batting rankings.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma continued his strong form, scoring a crucial century in the first innings, moving up three places to sixth and achieving a career-best rating of 769. Meanwhile, Kyle Vereen also impressed with a century, moving up four places to No. 25.
Pakistan struggled in the first innings, scoring just 194 runs in reply to South Africa’s 615, but showed resilience in the second innings.
Babar Azam’s half-centuries in both innings saw him rise five places to 12th, while Shan Masood’s gallant 145 in the second innings earned him a rise of 12 places to 45th.
However, Saud Shakeel’s disappointing performance saw him drop five places to 11th in the rankings, marking the biggest drop in the top 20.
In the bowling rankings, South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada took six wickets in the match, moving up one place to third, now trailing only Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah.
In the overall rankings, Marco Janssen made great strides, climbing two places to second after a strong performance in the final Test, which included a quick half-century and three wickets.
Australian Scott Bolland was another standout performer, jumping significantly 29 places to enter the top ten.
Boland’s impressive performance in the Sydney Test, which included a 10-wicket haul (4/31 and 6/45), was crucial to Australia’s victory, ending a decade-long wait to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, also moved up the rankings, rising to second place after taking five wickets in the final Test. He is now closing in on No. 1 seed Bumrah, who remains at the top despite missing the second half due to a back spasm.
Bumrah had already created history by registering the highest ever rating by an Indian bowler, with 907 runs, improving his tally by one point after taking two wickets in the first innings.
In a low-scoring fifth Test, Rishabh Pant’s explosive 33-ball 61 in the second innings was one of the standout performances. His hitting earned him a three-point rise in the batting rankings, lifting him to ninth place.