India's ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has jumped to the second spot in newly released ICC Men's Test Bowlers Rankings after taking eight wickets at Nagpur against Australia including a fifer in the second innings. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has moved up two spots to be at number eight after a stellar 120-run knock on a spin-friendly Nagpur wicket.
Jadeja, Patel make gains
Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja made an emphatic comeback after missing out on five months of action due to a knee injury. Jadeja took a fifer in the first innings and has been rewarded for his performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener. The southpaw has moved up to the 16th position on the rankings.
Also, Jadeja retained his no.1 position in the all-rounder rankings after a 66-run knock. Axar Patel who scored 84 runs to help India post 400 in first innings jumped six places to seventh in all-rounder rankings.
Kohli slips, Bumrah still in top 5
The only Indian batter in the top 10 rankings is Rishabh Pant who got injured in a horrific car crash on December 30 and is likely to miss most of the year's cricketing action. As Virat Kohli's poor form in the Test format continued at Nagpur, he slipped one position to 16th in the rankings.
On the other hand, the only other Indian bowler in top 10 rankings is Jasprit Bumrah who has been out injured for few months. Bumrah has still occupied the fifth spot in the rankings led by Australian skipper Jasprit Bumrah.
Aussie openers slip
Australia's Marnus Labuschagne is on top followed by his teammate Steve Smith. On the other hand, Australian openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja took a hit after dismal show at Nagpur. Warner slipped six places to 20th after his poor run on Indian soil in the format continued. Warner's opening partner Usman Khawaja is at no.10 after scores of 1 and 5 in the series opener.
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Head back into XI?
India will take on Australia in the second Test at Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, Delhi starting February 17. Australia are expected to include their no.4 ranked batter Travis Head who was replaced by Matthew Renshaw in the first Test.
