Published 18:01 IST, October 7th 2019
Rohit Sharma attains a career-best 17th position in ICC Test rankings
Rohit Sharma has attained a career-best 17th spot in ICC Test rankings after his two centuries in both innings of the first Test match against South Africa.
Rohit Sharma made a dream comeback to Test cricket by scoring centuries in both innings of the first of the three-match Test series against South Africa. Sharma had scored 176 & 127 which were his fourth and fifth centuries respectively in the game's longest format. While he is known as an explosive batsman in the limited-overs format, he adopted the Test match techniques when the situation had it demanded from him. He was involved in a 317-run stand with Mayank Agarwal in the first innings and 169-run stand with Cheteshwar Pujara as his outstanding batting performance helped India register a comprehensive win by 203 runs. Meanwhile, the 'Hitman' has also been rewarded for his brilliant knocks.
Sharma reaches career-best Test rankings
While Rohit Sharma's comeback to red-ball cricket not only benefitted Team India, it has also boosted his self-confidence and has also improved his Test rankings as well.
After his heroics at Vizag, Rohit has now jumped to 17th position in the ICC Test Player Rankings which is his career-best ranking in the game's longest format. The 'Hitman' gained a massive 36 slots. Sharma has five tons in 28 Tests.
Apart from Rohit Sharma, his opening partner Mayank Agarwal has also been benefitted after his maiden double century in the first innings. His knock of 215 lifted him 38 places and even the young opener has attained a career-best 25th position in Tests. Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who was dethroned from the 'Numero Uno' spot by Steve Smith continues to be at the second position. Kohli has 899 points and is 38 points behind Smith.
'There is a lot to learn from Rohit': Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara who was involved in a 169-run stand with Rohit Sharma in the second innings was full of praises for the 'Hitman' during a press conference after the end of play of Day 4.
"As a Test batsman who wants to improve his ODI and T20 cricket, obviously there is a lot to learn from him especially when it comes to hitting the ball out of the park which I obviously admire and I will obviously have a chat with him when I am playing the shorter format", said Pujara.
Updated 18:58 IST, October 7th 2019