Abhishek Sharma Regains Top T20I Batting Ranking as Marco Jansen Tops Test Bowling and All-Rounder Charts
DUBAI–India’s Abhishek Sharma has reclaimed the No. 1 position in the International Cricket Council’s T20 International batting rankings, while South Africa’s Marco Jansen has risen to the top of both the Test bowling and all-rounder rankings for the first time in his career.
The changes were announced Wednesday in the latest update to the ICC Men’s Player Rankings, following notable performances in international matches involving India, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.
Abhishek returned to the top of the T20I batting rankings after scoring a century against New Zealand in Wellington on Tuesday during the third match of the series.
The left-handed batter reached his century in just 35 deliveries and finished with 113 runs off 38 balls, helping India secure a six-wicket victory and clinch the series.
His performance moved him ahead of Indian teammate Ishan Kishan, who had occupied the top position since July.
Kishan had overtaken Abhishek following a series of strong performances against Ireland earlier this year. Abhishek initially became the world’s top-ranked T20I batter in July 2025, when he moved ahead of Australia’s Travis Head.
Meanwhile, Jansen’s rise in the Test rankings followed an outstanding all-around performance in South Africa’s victory over Australia in the second Test in Gqeberha.
The 26-year-old left-arm fast bowler scored 85 runs and claimed five wickets in Australia’s first innings, playing a central role in South Africa’s win.
Jansen climbed five places in the Test bowling rankings, overtaking Australia’s Mitchell Starc to secure the No. 1 position.
He also moved up one spot in the Test all-rounder rankings, replacing India’s Ravindra Jadeja, who had held the top ranking for more than four years.
Jansen’s performance with the bat helped him climb 13 positions to 56th in the Test batting rankings.
His emergence as the leading Test bowler and all-rounder follows recent praise from former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn, who described him as “the best cricketer in the world.”
South African captain Temba Bavuma also made significant progress in the latest rankings after scoring 179 runs in the first innings of the second Test against Australia.
Bavuma, who was named Player of the Match, climbed four places to second in the Test batting rankings, behind England captain Harry Brook.
His innings helped South Africa level the three-match Test series against Australia at 1-1.
Australia’s Scott Boland moved up three places to sixth in the Test bowling rankings, while South African spinner Simon Harmer climbed 15 positions to eighth in the Test all-rounder rankings.
Several other players also advanced in the T20I rankings following the India-New Zealand series.
India’s Sanju Samson rose six places to 20th among T20I batters, while New Zealand’s Finn Allen gained three positions to reach 25th.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner climbed seven spots to seventh in the T20I bowling rankings, while India’s Arshdeep Singh improved six places to 15th.
The ODI rankings also saw movement as the tri-series involving Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka continued.
England batters Ben Duckett and Harry Brook improved their positions in the ODI batting rankings.
Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi climbed two places to sixth in the ODI bowling rankings, while Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai surged 13 positions to seventh.
Namibia spinner Bernard Scholtz moved up nine places to eighth in the ODI bowling rankings.
Afghanistan veteran Mohammad Nabi also advanced five places to third in the ODI all-rounder rankings.
The latest rankings reflect a series of standout international performances, with Abhishek strengthening his position among the leading T20I batters and Jansen establishing himself at the top of two major Test cricket categories. (Source: IANS)
