October 23, 2024: Rishabh Pant has surpassed Virat Kohli in the latest ICC Men’s Test Batter Rankings, following a successful return to Test cricket.
Pant’s remarkable performances in India’s opening Test against New Zealand, scoring 20 and 99, have lifted him three places to sixth in the rankings, overtaking Kohli, who now sits in eighth place. Pant’s rise is especially significant given that this is only his third Test back after a life-threatening car accident.
While India’s defeat against New Zealand in the Bengaluru Test was a setback, Pant’s near-century highlighted his crucial role in India’s red-ball lineup.
Alongside Pant, young Indian batter Yashasvi Jaiswal also holds a strong position, ranking fourth on the list. England’s Joe Root continues to dominate the rankings, holding a solid lead in first place.
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In addition to Pant and Jaiswal, Ben Duckett of England and Salman Agha of Pakistan have shown impressive gains in the rankings. Duckett moved up to equal 11th, thanks to his 114 against Pakistan, while Agha’s recent consistency moved him to a career-high 14th spot.
New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway also made strides, with Ravindra jumping an impressive 36 places to rank 18th. Meanwhile, Matt Henry climbed to ninth among Test bowlers after his eight-wicket haul helped New Zealand secure a historic victory over India.
The rankings also saw movement in limited-overs formats, with Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis rising to eighth and 12th in the T20I batter rankings. Maheesh Theekshana moved up to third among T20I bowlers, while Wanindu Hasaranga gained ground in both T20I and ODI formats.
These changes reflect the dynamic nature of international cricket, with young talents like Pant and Jaiswal cementing their places in the top tier alongside seasoned veterans like Kohli.
