How Did Twin Tons Propel Rishabh Pant to a Career-Best Rating in ICC Test Rankings?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rishabh Pant achieved a career-high ICC rating after twin centuries.
- He is now ranked sixth in the Test batters list.
- Joe Root retains the top position with a 15-point lead.
- Other players like Ben Duckett and Travis Head also reached career highs.
- India’s Jasprit Bumrah remains the top Test bowler.
Dubai, July 2 (NationPress) Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has reached a remarkable career-high rating in the latest ICC Men’s Test Batter Rankings, fueled by his impressive twin centuries during the initial Test against England in their ongoing series.
The 27-year-old showcased his talent with scores of 134 and 118, despite India facing a five-wicket defeat. This performance elevated him one position to sixth place among Test batters with a personal-best rating of 801 points, edging closer to the top spot, currently held by Joe Root, by just 88 points.
Pant is now on the brink of his best-ever ranking of fifth, which he achieved during the same timeframe in 2022.
Root, who scored 28 and an unbeaten 53 in England’s opening win, maintains his lead over teammate Harry Brook by 15 rating points. Brook remains in second place after consistently performing at Headingley.
England opener Ben Duckett also reached a career-high rating of eighth after his match-winning innings of 149 in the second innings of the Leeds Test, helping secure a significant victory.
In another match, Australia triumphed over the West Indies by 159 runs in the first Test in Barbados, with Travis Head moving up three slots into the top 10 at 10th place, thanks to his two half-centuries.
Elsewhere, Sri Lanka’s decisive win over Bangladesh saw their players make notable advancements. Opener Pathum Nissanka leaped 14 positions to 17th after scoring 159 runs in a victory that secured a 1-0 win in the WTC series.
Meanwhile, South African debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius entered the rankings in 68th place after scoring 153 runs, contributing to South Africa's 328-run win over Zimbabwe.
On the bowling side, India’s Jasprit Bumrah holds the title of No.1 Test bowler, following another stellar performance that included a five-wicket haul at Headingley. Josh Hazlewood of Australia climbed one spot to fourth after claiming seven wickets, including a five-for in the second innings, while Jayden Seales of West Indies rose to ninth.
Additionally, Sri Lanka's Prabhath Jayasuriya and Taijul Islam of Bangladesh have also risen in the rankings after their five-wicket hauls in the Colombo Test, with Jayasuriya now at joint-14th and Taijul at 16th.