Australia pacer Mitchell Starc has dethroned Jasprit Bumrah from the number 1 spot in the ICC Rankings for Test bowlers. Starc has claimed the top spot for the first time in his career. Bumrah first reached the pinnacle in February 2024 and ruled the rankings for two years. The Indian bowler is missing from action and is not a part of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka. Strac went past the Indian speedster after a terrific series against Bangladesh at home.
He was at his best in the second and final Test in Mackay, taking 10 wickets as Australia secured a comprehensive win to level the series 1-1. The left-arm bowler gained two spots, going past Bumrah and New Zealand seamer Matt Henry.
The 36-year-old Starc has been one of the best fast bowlers in the world but recently entered the top three after dominating England in the Ashes.
Starc’s rise has pushed Bumrah and Henry to second and third spots. Australia skipper Pat Cummins climbed to fourth place after six scalps against Bangladesh while spinner Nathan Lyon rose two places to enter the top 10.
England pacers also had a field day in the rankings after magnificent bowling against Pakistan at Headingley.
Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue took 8 wickets each in the series opener, reaching 11th and 17th spots, respectively.
In the batting department, Harry Brook is leading the race while Test captain Joe Root is in second place. Steve Smith and Travis Head, the two Aussies, are third and fourth.
Team India’s wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant gained six places to become the joint-seventh batter after his half-century in the second innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Pant is now level with Aussie middle-order batter Marnus Labuschagne, who recently had a below-par series against Bangladesh.