ICC T20I Rankings: Virat Kohli drops out of top 10
Former Indian captain Virat Kohli has dropped out of the top 10 in the latest ICC T20I Rankings for batters. Kohli, who was rested for the recently-concluded T20I series against Sri Lanka, has fallen to the 15th spot in the rankings. On the other hand, Indian middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer gained big in the rankings after smashing three unbeaten half-centuries against Sri Lanka.
Why does this story matter?
Kohli is the third-highest run-scorer in T20Is. In a career spanning over a decade, he has scored 3,296 runs from 97 matches at 51.50. He is only behind Rohit Sharma (3,313) and Martin Guptill (3,299) on the tally. However, he hasn't been consistent enough in recent times. He has crashed out of the top 10 (ICC T20I Batting Rankings) after missing the SL series.
Kohli averages 61.33 since January 2021
Despite missing his Midas touch, Kohli has been among run-scorers in T20Is. He averages 61.33 since January 1 last year. The former Indian captain smashed 368 runs from 12 matches at a strike rate of 131.89 in this period (five half-centuries).
Will Kohli end his quest for international ton?
Despite his stature, Kohli has been short of runs of late. He hasn't scored an international ton in over two years. He smashed 136 against Bangladesh in the Eden Gardens Test (Day/Night). Since his last century (November 2019), he has scored 2,397 runs from 61 international games at an average of 38.04. The tally includes 24 half-centuries.
Iyer surges to number 18
While Kohli had a steep fall, his compatriot Shreyas Iyer gained 27 places to number 18 in the ICC T20I Rankings for batters. The latter finished as the leading run-scorer of the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. Iyer recorded scores of 73*, 74*, and 57* in three games. He was adjudged the Player of the Series.
ICC Test Bowling Rankings: Rabada climbs to number three
Among bowlers, South African seamer Kagiso Rabada moved up three spots in the ICC Test Rankings. He climbed to number three after taking 10 wickets in two Tests against New Zealand. The right-arm seamer registered brilliant figures of 5/60 in the first innings of the second Test. Meanwhile, New Zealand pacers Kyle Jamieson (fifth) and Tim Southee (sixth) plunged in the bowler rankings.
