Post by : Maya Rahman

Daryl Mitchell of New Zealand has claimed the top position in the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings, dethroning India's Rohit Sharma. This achievement follows Mitchell’s impressive century in the first ODI against the West Indies, marking his seventh ODI century and securing his first-ever stint at No.1.

Mitchell is only the second New Zealander to become the leading ODI batter, following the legendary Glenn Turner, who achieved this in 1979. Several other notable Kiwi players, such as Martin Crowe, Kane Williamson, and Ross Taylor, have reached the top five at various times, but only Turner and Mitchell have claimed the top spot.

In the aftermath of Pakistan's clean sweep over Sri Lanka in their ODI series, several Pakistani players have seen significant ranking improvements. Mohammad Rizwan moved up five places to tie for 22nd, while Fakhar Zaman also advanced five spots to joint 26th. Spinner Abrar Ahmed surged 11 rankings to occupy ninth place, and pacer Haris Rauf climbed five positions to 23rd in the latest ODI bowling rankings. Afghanistan's Rashid Khan continues to top the bowling leaderboard.

Meanwhile, the opening Test match between India and South Africa in Kolkata has incited changes in the ICC Test rankings. South African captain Temba Bavuma entered the top five for Test batters for the first time, thanks to his unbeaten 55 in the second innings. Indian pacer Shubman Gill rose two spots to 11th, while Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto climbed four rankings to 34th after his century against Ireland. Mahmudul Hasan Joy improved significantly, jumping 19 spots to 74th after his second Test hundred.

India's Jasprit Bumrah maintained his top ranking after taking six wickets in the first Test at Eden Gardens. Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja also climbed the rankings, now positioned at 13th and 15th, respectively. South African bowlers Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer made notable advances, with Jansen securing the fifth position among Test all-rounders.

In T20I cricket, New Zealand's Tim Robinson and Devon Conway improved their rankings to 15th and joint 48th, respectively, while bowler Jacob Duffy ascended to second. Pakistani players also made their mark after their tri-series match against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, with Mohammad Nawaz moving up four spots to 27th for bowling and two positions to eighth for all-rounders, showcasing his all-around capabilities in the victory against Zimbabwe.

The latest ICC rankings highlight the growing competitiveness in international cricket across various formats. Players from New Zealand, India, Pakistan, South Africa, and Bangladesh have made notable gains, while emerging talents are continuously making their presence felt in ODI, Test, and T20I rankings. Daryl Mitchell's rise to the No.1 ODI batter spot underscores the strengthening of New Zealand cricket on the global stage.

As international cricket progresses with significant series and tournaments, player rankings will likely remain fluid. Performances in upcoming matches, including the World Cup and subsequent bilateral series, will have substantial implications for ICC rankings across all formats, providing opportunities for more players to ascend the global standings.

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