January 29, 2025: Adil Rashid’s return to the top of the ICC men’s T20I bowling rankings is a testament to his consistency and impact with the ball.
After briefly losing the top spot to Akeal Hosein, Rashid’s performance in the T20I series against India has propelled him back to No. 1. His brilliant bowling performance, including figures of 1/15 in the third T20I, was crucial in helping England stay competitive in a series where they are trailing 2-1.
It’s also great to see other notable rankings movements. India’s Varun Chakravarthy climbed 25 places to 5th after his impressive five-wicket haul in Rajkot, while Axar Patel is now knocking on the door of the top 10 in the T20I bowler rankings.
On the batting front, India’s Tilak Varma has been making waves with his stellar performances, moving to the second spot in the T20I rankings, just behind Australia’s Travis Head. If he continues his blistering form, Tilak could soon challenge for the top spot, potentially making history as the youngest player to do so. It’s exciting to witness such young talent rise rapidly in the rankings.
In Test cricket, Pakistan’s Noman Ali earned a significant rise to 5th in the ICC Test bowling rankings, following his match-winning 10-wicket haul against the West Indies. His performance is a reminder of the critical role spinners continue to play in the longest format. Additionally, Mohammad Rizwan’s rise to 15th in the Test batting rankings after his stellar series performance further highlights Pakistan’s depth across formats.
All in all, these rankings shifts demonstrate the evolving nature of international cricket, with standout performances continuing to shape the rankings landscape. It will be interesting to see if Rashid can maintain his position at the top, and whether Tilak Varma can break through and claim the T20I batting crown.