ICC ODI Rankings: Shubman Gill and Kuldeep Yadav achieves career best positions

Indian opener Shubhman Gill has achieved his career-best ranking of No. 2 in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI rankings after scoring two half centuries against Nepal and Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023.

Currently, there are three Indian top-order batters in the top ten of the ODI rankings released on September 13. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is in the eighth position and Virat Kohli is in the ninth position, respectively. This is the first time in four years that three Indian batsmen are in an ODI’s top ten list. Although Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are the regular names on the list.

At present, Pakistan’s star batter and captain, Babar Azam, is leading the chart and is the top-ranked batter. Rassie van der Dussen of South Africa remained in third place, ahead of David Warner, Imam-ul-Haq, Harry Tector, and Quinton de Kock.

The third batter from Pakistan in the top 10 is Zaman Khan. However, in order to close the gap between himself and Azam, Gill will need to put in regular work. Azam has 863 rating points compared to Gill’s 759.

Temba Bavuma, the captain of South Africa, has been in excellent form recently and is only 15 rating points away from cracking the top 10. In his last eight ODIs, he has three hundreds and two half-centuries. Bavuma made a giant leap to leave Steve Smith behind. Smith has been recovering from an injury and is not traveling with Australia for the ODI series in South Africa. 

Top gainers

KL Rahul made a century against Pakistan and then an important run against Sri Lanka after making his long-awaited comeback from injury. Rahul rose 10 places to take 37th place. After the top order collapsed against Pakistan, Ishan Kishan scored a half-century and climbed two spots to 22nd. 

Big gains in bowling

Kuldeep Yadav was in excellent form as he advanced five spots to take seventh place. Jasprit Bumrah, a spearhead in fast bowling who also made a comeback from injury, rose eight spots to 27th. Hardik Pandya, an all-around player, rose 21 spots to 56th place in the bowler rankings from sixth place in the all-rounder rankings.