InMobi

Ashwin reclaims spot as world No.1 bowler

India off-spinner scales summit after match-winning haul in Antiqua coincides with Yasir Shah's substandard Old Trafford Test

Virat Kohli's career-best double century against the West Indies has not helped him leap into the top 10 batsmen in the world in the latest update to the International Cricket Council's official player rankings.

But Joe Root's double against Pakistan has seen him jump two spots to be the world's second-best batsman, behind Australia skipper Steve Smith who was at the crease against Sri Lanka when the ICC update came in.

Image Id: ~/media/CC5995A7FA324ADAAF3679B0B6B40301 Image Caption: ICC Test batting rankings // Courtesy of ICC

Kane Williamson and Hashim Amla were the players leapfrogged by Root's rise, while Younis Khan's poor start in Pakistan's tour of England saw him fall four spots to 10, which meant a rise of one spot for David Warner, who is now seventh.

England skipper Alastair Cook's runs at Old Trafford helped him rise four spots to break into the top 10 at ninth. But Kohli's 200 in Antigua saw him rise just two spots to 12th.

Ravi Ashwin's 7-83 that routed the Windies in an innings-and-92-run victory for India helped him reclaim the world's No.1 bowler ranking from Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah.

Shah had soared to the top spot after dominating with 10 wickets in Pakistan's victory at Lord's but was unable to hold onto the position after a below-par performance at Old Trafford that yielded just one wicket in England's win.

James Anderson took four wickets against Pakistan at Old Trafford – setting a new mark for the most successful pace bowler in home conditions, to beat a nearly decade-old mark set by Glenn McGrath – but was beaten to top spot by a single ranking point. 

Image Id: ~/media/3299068B2AB64243A8C5BF76BCC174E9 Image Caption: ICC Test bowling rankings // Courtesy of ICC

Ashwin gained five ranking points for his effort in Antigua, while Anderson's haul against higher-ranked opponents earned him seven points.

Shah fell four spots to be fifth, bumping up Stuart Broad (3) and Dale Steyn (4) in the process.

Australia's Josh Hazlewood remains ranked eighth but his 3-21 first-innings return against Sri Lanka will be picked up in the next update.