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Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who recently announced his decision to step down as captain in the longest format has risen two places in the latest ICC Test rankings released on Wednesday (January 19). The 33-year-old was in ninth place previously, but his strong display in the third Test between India and South has seen him gain two places and move to seventh spot.
Kohli registered 79 and 29 in challenging conditions of Cape Town in a losing cause. Kohli's valiant batting effort ended in vain as India lost the third Test by seven wickets and missed a chance to win maiden Test series on South African soil. Kohli quit as India's Test captain a day after the series defeat.
Rishabh Pant who scored an unbeaten century in the second innings of the series decider jumped 10 places and moved to 14th place in the latest ICC batsman rankings. India's limited-overs captain Rohit Sharma has retained his fifth rank despite missing the whole tour due to hamstring injury which also ruled him out of ODI series.
Keegan Petersen has moved up 68 places to 33rd after match-winning scores of 72 and 82. Temba Bavuma (up seven places to 28th) and Rassie van der Dussen (up 12 places to 43rd) are the other South African batters to advance while fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada (up two places to third) and Lungi Ngidi (up six places to 21st) have also made notable progress.
Australia's Travis Head has reached a career-best fifth position after his Player of the Match performance in the fifth Ashes Test in Hobart. Head returned from quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19 and earned the Man of the series award too for his consistent run in middle order.
All-rounder Cameron Green was up 23 places to joint 66th after his scores of 74 and 23 and has also moved up 13 places to 62nd in the bowlers' rankings. Scott Boland has moved from 49th to 43rd with four wickets in the match.
Marnus Labuschagne continues to retain the no. 1 spot followed by England skipper Joe Root, Steve Smith and an injured Kane Williamson.
Jasprit Bumrah has also broken into the top 10 of Men's Test bowler rankings, after picking up six wickets in Cape Town including a fifer in first innings. On the other hand, India’s premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has retained his second position.
