Virat Kohli closes gap on Steve Smith in ICC Test rankings

India skipper Virat Kohli may have played his last match on Australia tour, but the batting maestro has managed to close the gap on Steve Smith at the top of the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings.

According to the latest rankings, which were released on Sunday, the Indian captain reduced the difference from 25 points to 13. Kohli’s first innings score of 74 in Adelaide helped him get closer to Smith in the rankings. Smith at the same time incurred a loss of 10 rating points after falling cheaply in the first innings.

Meanwhile, Australian skipper Tim Paine jumped to his career best ranking of 33rd spot. Paine was the chief architect for Australia in the first innings with a fighting score of 73 not out. Paine, who now has 592 rating points, was adjudged the Man of the Match in the game.

Labuschagne is another Australian batter who has benefited after a decent showing in the first innings of the Adelaide Test. He now has accumulated career-best 839 points. Joe Burns unbeaten has moved 48th place. It’s the first time since 2016 that he finds himself in the top 50 of the rankings.

Pat Cummins seven wickets in the game has helped him strengthen his spot at top above Stuart Broad in second place.

Josh Hazelwood is back into top five for the first time since 2018. Hazelwood registered unbelievable figures of 5/8 in the second innings of the Adelaide Test.

As far as Indian bowlers are concerned, R Ashwin is now the top ranked Indian bowler in the rankings, his four wickets in the first innings helped him overtake Jasprit Bumrah in the 9th place.