Babar Azam rises in T20I batter rankings due to Kiwi player skipping national duty for IPL, Suryakumar Yadav retains top spot

Out-of-form Suryakumar Yadav continued to top the ICC T20I batter rankings while he struggles with form in ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. Suryakumar is on top with 906 rating points, 95 more than the second-ranked T20I batter Mohammad Rizwan in newly-released rankings. 
 

There was one major change in the rankings as Pakistan skipper Babar Azam moved up to third position New Zealand's Devon Conway slipped one place due to his absence from series against Sri Lanka. Conway left early for IPL 2023 to be a part of MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK). There is no other Indian batter in top 10. 
 

While Conway took a hit due to absence from home series, Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana rose to his career-high rating. He is ranked fifth alongside England leg-spinner Adil Rashid. Theekshana was economical in the three-T20I series and picked up two wickets.
 

On the other hand, Sri Lanka spinner Wanindu Hasaranga dropped two places to fourth after remaining wicketless inn the series. Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi and Australia’s Josh Hazlewood gained one place each as they occupied second and third spot respectively. The bowling rankings are currently led by Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan with 710 points.
 

There is no Indian bowler in the top 10 while Afghanistan have three. The highest-ranked Indian bowler is left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh who is placed 14th.
 

There were changes in the ICC Test rankings as well. Bangladesh's experienced campaigner Mushfiqur Rahim gained five places after his match-winning 126 against Ireland at hope. Rahim who won 'Player of the match' award for scoring 177 runs in the one-off Test has moved to 17th place.
 

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul Islam's rankings improved as well. Taijul moved three places after taking a fifer in the first innings. Shakib who underbowled himself and took two wickets in the second innings moved two spots to 26th. 
 

While IPL is going on, New Zealand and Pakistan players will have a chance to move up in the rankings in the five-T20I series starting April 14 which will be followed by a five-ODI series. 
 

ALSO READ:

'We believe agar maut aani hai to aani hai': Javed Miandad stirs up controversy over India's refusal to tour Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023    

PCB willing to lose PKR 86 crore if BCCI doesn't agree to 'hybrid model' of Asia Cup 2023