Published 19:37 IST, October 14th 2019
ICC Test Rankings: Indian players dominate the latest ICC Test charts
In the updated ICC test rankings, as Virat Kohli stood two points away from toppling Smith from the first position, Pujara stood firm at 3rd and Rahane on 9th
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The International Cricket Council (ICC) updated the international Test rankings on Monday, October 14, and the list saw Indian captain Virat Kohli move up close to Australia's Steve Smith who currently enjoys the top spot. After a match-winning knock of 254 which helped India seal the series against South Africa, the Indian skipper is just 2 points away from toppling Steve Smith from the number 1 position in ICC Test Rankings. While Kohli saw a rise in his points, India's spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also moved up his ranks as he grabbed the seventh position after India's win against the Proteas. Cheteshwar Pujara stood at third whereas India's new test opener, Rohit Sharma stood at 22nd position.
Indians in the ICC Test Rankings
Ravichandran Ashwin, who was picked up for the test series against South Africa, entered the top 10 after the first match itself courtesy of his brilliant bowling spell in which he bagged 8 scalps helping India clinch the match with 203 runs. The second test against Proteas witnessed Ashwin just up his game as he was the pick of the Indian bowlers earning himself 6 wickets across the match and helping India take an unassailable lead by winning the match with an innings and 137 runs. While Ashwin moved up to seventh position with 792 points, India's ace fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah sits on the third position with 818 points despite missing out on the series against the Proteas. While Ravindra Jadeja dropped points to move to 14th, Mohammad Shami remained still on 16th. The ICC Test Batting Rankings also features two more Indian batsmen apart from Captain Kohli. India's no 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, remains strong on the fourth spot with 817 points whereas India's Test Vice-Captain Ajinkya Rahane who was Kohli's partner in crime in the second test as they had another scintillating partnership, climbed up to the ninth position.
India's dominant performance
It was a complete performance from team India with the bat, ball and on the field in the second test match in Pune. After skipper Virat Kohli who had scored an unbeaten 254 declared the innings at 601/5, South Africa could never really catch up in their first innings as they lost wickets at regular wickets and by the courtesy of their tailenders Keshav Maharaj (72) and Vernon Philander (44*) South Africa managed to get to 275. Ravichandran Ashwin was the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 8/113 which included fifteen maidens. India clinched the series against South Africa 2-0 with a match still to go
18:36 IST, October 14th 2019