In a thrilling update to the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings, South Africa’s triumphant squad has reaped rich rewards following their historic victory in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. The Proteas, who clinched their maiden WTC title with a nerve-wracking five-wicket win over Australia, have seen several of their stars climb the rankings, while Indian players continue to hold their ground at the pinnacle of Test cricket.
Leading the charge for South Africa is the dynamic opener Aiden Markram, who was adjudged the Player of the Match in the WTC Final. Markram’s match-defining 136 runs off 207 balls in the second innings not only guided his team to a monumental victory but also propelled him seven places up the Test Batting Rankings to 11th spot, a mere two points behind New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell at 10th. Additionally, his handy contributions with the ball saw him rocket an astonishing 44 spots in the All-Rounders’ Rankings, underlining his growing stature as a complete cricketer.
Other Proteas heroes shone brightly as well. Middle-order batter David Bedingham made a remarkable leap of 17 positions to 40th in the batting charts, showcasing his composure under pressure. Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, with his fiery spells, climbed seven places to joint 37th in the Bowling Rankings, while spearhead Kagiso Rabada held firm at second place with an impressive haul of nine wickets in the final. Rabada trails only India’s undisputed pace king Jasprit Bumrah, who continues to reign supreme with a staggering 908 rating points.
On the Australian front, despite the heartbreak of defeat, there were positives in the rankings. Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc broke into the top 10 in both the Bowling and All-Rounders’ Rankings, thanks to a five-wicket haul and a gritty half-century in the second innings. Youngster Beau Webster also earned a notable jump of 13 places in the batting standings, signaling a bright future for the Kangaroos.
Meanwhile, India’s cricketing giants remain unmoved at the top echelons of the game. Rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal holds the 4th spot among batters, while the explosive Rishabh Pant sits comfortably at 8th, making them the only Indians in the top 20. All-round maestro Ravindra Jadeja continues to dominate as the world’s No. 1 Test All-Rounder and shares the 10th spot in the Bowling Rankings with Starc, reinforcing India’s depth and consistency in the longest format.
As South Africa basks in the glory of ending a 27-year drought for a major ICC trophy, this rankings update is a testament to their grit and determination. For fans worldwide, the reshuffling of positions promises more exhilarating battles in the Test arena. Will the Proteas continue their ascent, or will India’s stalwarts reassert their dominance? Only time will tell as the race for Test supremacy heats up.