ICC Test Rankings: Kane Williamson, Cheteshwar Pujara gain big
What's the story
New Zealand cricket team skipper Kane Williamson has stepped up and his form with the bat helped his side beat Pakistan 2-1 in the recently concluded Test series. Williamson was the highest runs scorer in the three-match Test series and he is now only behind Virat Kohli in the ICC Test Rankings for batsmen. India's Cheteshwar Pujara gained big as well. Here's more.
Rankings
Williamson only 7 points behind Kohli now
Williamson, who scored 89 and 139 in Abu Dhabi, helped the Kiwis to a stunning win against Pakistan. He finished as the top runs scorer in the series (386). This helped the stylish batsman to gain a career-high total of 913 ratings points. He is now seven behind Kohli. Williamson also became the first from New Zealand to get past 900 ratings points.
Pujara
Pujara breaks into top 5 in batsmen's rankings
Pujara was the chief architect for India in their win against Australia in the recently concluded first Test in Adelaide. Pujara scored 123 and 71 in the first Test. The fantastic show helped the batsman to break into the top five. He is currently number 4 in the rankings. Meanwhile, Indian Test team vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane rose two places to be on 17th.
Ash
ICC Test Rankings for bowlers: Ashwin goes up
After taking six wickets in India's win over Australia, Indian ace spinner R Ashwin has moved up one spot in the latest rankings for bowlers. He replaced Australia's Pat Cummins, who dropped down to number 7. India's Jasprit Bumrah, who picked 6/115 in the Test match against Australia, rose to number 33. South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada maintained the No. 1 position.
Information
Aussie bowlers Lyon, Starc rise in rankings
Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon, who impressed with 8 wickets in the Adelaide Test, rose 7 places to be at number 19. Fast bowler Mitchell Starc climbed two places to No. 16.