Indian opener Shubman Gill achieved career-best no.2 in the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI rankings after scoring two half-centuries in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. Currently, there are three Indian batters in the top 10 of the ODI rankings released on September 13. The other two Indian batters are Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at the eighth and ninth spots respectively. This is the first time in four years, that three Indian batters are in India’s ODI top-10 list.
Currently, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is the top-ranked batter. South Africa's Rassie van der Dussen retained his third position followed by David Warner, Imam-ul-Haq, Harry Tector, and Quinton de Kock. Zaman Khan is the third Pakistan batter in the top 10 list.
However, Gill will need to deliver consistent performances to lower the gap between him and Azam. While Gill has 759 rating points, Azam has 863.
The Indian opener has scored 154 runs from four innings in the Asia Cup already including two half-centuries. Against Sri Lanka on September 12, Gill was dismissed by a peach of a delivery bowled by 20-year-old left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage.
South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma has been in fine form of late and is 15 rating points away from breaching the top 10. He has scored three centuries and two half-centuries in his last eight ODIs. Bavuma made a giant leap to leave Steve Smith behind. Smith has been recovering from an injury and is currently not a part of Australia’s ODI squad in South Africa.
Opening the innings alongside Warner, Travis Head jumped six places to reach 20th after providing blistering starts to Australia against the Proteas. Famous concussion substitute who scored a match-winning half-century followed by a century has moved 24 places to 45th.
Big gains for Indian players
Returning after a long injury layoff, KL Rahul scored a century against Pakistan followed by a crucial knock against Sri Lanka. Rahul moved up 10 places to 37th. Ishan Kishan who scored a half-century against Pakistan after top-order collapse moved two places to 22nd.
In red-hot form, Kuldeep Yadav gained five places to reach seventh position. Another Indian player returning after injury, pace-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah moved eight places to 27th. All-rounder Hardik Pandya moved 21 places to 56th in the bowler rankings whereas he has occupied the sixth spot in the all-rounders rankings.
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