The past week in Test cricket saw the conclusion of three major series: India versus Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, South Africa’s series against Pakistan, and Zimbabwe facing Afghanistan. These matches delivered exciting cricket and significantly shifted the ICC player rankings.
In the high-scoring second Test between South Africa and Pakistan, Ryan Rickelton earned the Player of the Match for his remarkable double century, advancing him 48 positions to 55th in the batting rankings.
South African skipper Temba Bavuma scored a pivotal century, moving up three places to sixth, his highest rating yet at 769 points.
After a modest first innings, Pakistan displayed resilience later in the match. Babar Azam’s consistent performance with two half-centuries elevated him five places to 12th. Shan Masood’s courageous 145 in the second innings lifted him 12 spots to 45th. Conversely, Saud Shakeel’s lacklustre show caused him to fall five places to 11th, the most significant drop in the top 20.
In bowling, South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada ascended to third after claiming six wickets, trailing only Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah.
In the all-rounder rankings, Marco Jansen advanced two positions to second following a strong showing in the final Test, which included a swift fifty and three wickets.
Australia’s Scott Boland made an impressive jump of 29 places to enter the top 10 after his pivotal role in Australia’s victory at Sydney, marking their first Border-Gavaskar Trophy win in a decade.
Australian captain Pat Cummins rose to second in the rankings, edging closer to top-ranked Bumrah, who retained his position despite missing the second innings with a back issue.
Ricky Ponting is a big fan of Pat Cummins' leadership on the field 🙌#WTC25 | #AUSvIND 🗣️: https://t.co/olWnXXdExg pic.twitter.com/DU5lbFjGKW
— ICC (@ICC) January 8, 2025Bumrah also set a record with the highest-ever ICC ranking points for an Indian bowler at 907, gaining an additional point after securing two wickets in the first innings.
In a pivotal low-scoring fifth Test, Rishabh Pant’s dynamic 61 off 33 balls in the second innings stood out, propelling him three places to ninth in the batting rankings.
