LONDON – India captain Virat Kohli today reclaimed the top spot in the latest ICC ODI rankings for batsmen following the conclusion of the last round of league matches in the Champions Trophy.
Kohli had entered the tournament 22 points behind number-one ranked AB de Villiers of South Africa, who had been No.1 since 25 February this year, and 19 points behind Australia’s David Warner.
But with brilliant knocks of 81 not out against Pakistan and 76 not out against South Africa, Kohli leapfrogged de Villiers and Warner into the number one spot.
Kohli had enjoyed just four days at the top in January 2017.
Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has continued his love affair with the Champions Trophy by returning into the top 10.
The left-hander has vaulted five places to 10th following scores of 68 against Pakistan, 125 against Sri Lanka and 78 against South Africa.
Dhawan’s rise means his team-mates Rohit Sharma and former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni have slipped one place each to 13th and 14th, respectively, while Yuvraj Singh has gained six places to be at 88th spot.
Fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has led the charge of India’s bowlers by vaulting 13 places to share 23rd spot with Afghanistan’s Hamza Hotak.
Umesh Yadav has gained two places to be at 41st position, while Jasprit Bumrah is at 43rd after climbing up three spots.
However, Indian spinners have slipped in the latest rankings with Ravichandran Ashwin dropping two places to 20th and Ravindra Jadeja falling three places to 29th.
