ISLAMABAD: Former India captain Virat Kohli has made giant strides on the latest ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings, rising to a total of 750 points but still behind Pakistan skipper Babar Azam’s 887.
During India’s recent ODI series sweep over Sri Lanka, Kohli smashed two centuries and amassed a whopping 283 runs from three innings, jumping two places to fourth overall on the latest list for ODI batters.
“While Pakistan skipper Babar Azam remains way out in front with 887 rating points, Kohli rises to a total of 750 points and has second-placed Rassie van der Dussen (766) and third-placed Quinton de Kock (759) well within his sights,” the ICC said on its website.
Kohli’s teammates Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav also put up strong performances against Sri Lanka, with Gill hitting a century and a fifty during the series. His 207 runs at an average of 69 helped the opener improve 10 spots to 26th overall on the rankings for ODI batters.
Siraj also jumped 15 spots to third on the list for ODI bowlers following his nine wickets for the series.
“No bowler picked up more wickets during that series and Siraj improves to a career-best rating of 685 points to close in on pacesetters Trent Boult (730) and Josh Hazlewood (727),” the ICC said.
Kuldeep was also rewarded for his five wickets from just two matches against Sri Lanka, with the left-armer jumping seven places to 21st on the latest bowler rankings.
Players from Pakistan and New Zealand also moved up the rankings following their recent ODI series in Karachi.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson scored 164 runs during the series and moved up three places to eighth overall on the latest batter rankings, while Devon Conway improved from outside the top 100 to 50th after a century and fifty throughout the three games.
Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz improved 12 spots to 28th on the list for bowlers after collecting six wickets for the series.