Virat Kohli has pipped Australian batsman Steve Smith to romp to the top of the ICC Test rankings for batsmen, following his stellar century against Bangladesh in the historic Pink ball Test in Kolkata. The commendable display from the talisman moved him to 928 points, five clear of the former Australian captain.
In two of the best modern-day batters, Kohli and Smith have been renowned for hogging the headlines and the top spots in the rankings.
They’re often playing cat and mouse at the top. And this time, it’s the Indian skipper who has dethroned a man who until the series against Pakistan, looked irresistible.
Courtesy of a 194-ball 136 from Kohli, alongside fine-turned half-centuries from CheteshwarPujara and Ajinkya Rahane, India recorded yet another victory on home soil against the Bangla Tigers, who fell short by an innings and 46 runs. Ishant Sharma was the wrecker-in-chief as he ran through the Bangladeshi top order and claimed nine for the match.
Kohli’s double hundred against South Africa earlier in October had him within touching distance of Smith. But the latter’s Ashes campaign saw him retain his position at the pinnacle. However, with the Aussie having endured a significantly substandard series against Pakistan considering his lofty standards, Kohli’s leapfrog was imminent.
The Aussies albeit, shouldn’t be too bothered about Smith’s form.
Marcus Labuschagne, who scored a couple of massive hundreds in the recently concluded rout of Pakistan. And thus has moved up to eighth place in the rankings with 731 points. His compatriot David Warner also has risen from the ruins off the back of his world-class 335* to stake a claim of fifth place.
While India do not participate in a Test until February next year when they are to tour New Zealand, Smith and co. will be vying to continue their remarkable Test run next week, when the Kiwis visit the continent country.
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