Kagiso Rabada becomes highest-ranked bowler in latest ICC Test rankings

After helping South Africa beat India by 72 runs in the opening Test of the ongoing series, Kagiso Rabada rose to the top of the bowling charts in the latest ICC Test rankings. He replaced James Anderson at the top, having claimed five wickets in the first game at Cape Town.

“It’s special to be ranked as the No.1 Test bowler in the world. It is a surreal feeling. It’s what you dream of achieving when you start playing the game," Rabada said.

“Cricket is ultimately a team sport and I’m thankful for the support from my teammates. It’s a great start to the year personally and for us as a team, hopefully, we can continue putting in winning performances," he added.

Virat Kohli dropped one point after failing to fire in both the innings, slipping to the third spot in the batting rankings. England's Joe Root, who led his side through a horrendous Ashes tour, had something to cheer for, as he gained two places to be ranked second, next to Australian skipper Steve Smith.

India's Cheteshwar Pujara suffered a two-place drop to reach the fifth spot, whereas AB de Villiers gained five points on making his Test comeback, and is now placed 13th.

Here are the complete rankings:

Batsmen (Top-10)

Rank (+/-) Player Team Points Avge Highest Rating

1 ( - ) Steve Smith Aus 947! 63.75 947 v Eng at Sydney 2018

2 (+2) Joe Root Eng 881 53.28 917 v Aus at Trent Bridge 2015

3 (-1) Virat Kohli Ind 880 53.01 895 v Ban at Hyderabad 2017

4 ( - ) Kane Williamson NZ 855 50.62 893 v Aus at Perth 2015

5 (-2) C. Pujara Ind 848 52.07 888 v SL at Nagpur 2017

6 ( - ) David Warner Aus 827 48.77 880 v NZ at Perth 2015

7 (+2) Azhar Ali Pak 755 46.62 787 v Aus at Melbourne 2016

8 (+2) D. Chandimal SL 743! 43.94 743 v Ind at Delhi 2017

9 (-1) Alastair Cook Eng 742 46.35 874 v Ind at Kolkata 2012

10 (-3) Hashim Amla SA 740 49.08 907 v Pak at Abu Dhabi 2013

BOWLERS (top 10)

Rank (+/-) Player Team Points Avge Highest Rating

1 (+1) Kagiso Rabada SA 888! 21.96 888 v Ind at Cape Town 2018

2 (-1) James Anderson Eng 887 27.40 896 v Win at Lord's 2017

3 ( - ) Ravindra Jadeja Ind 861 23.73 899 v Aus at Ranchi 2017

4 ( - ) R. Ashwin Ind 830 25.35 904 v Eng at Mumbai 2016

5 ( - ) Josh Hazlewood Aus 814 25.77 863 v Ind at Bengaluru 2017

6 (+6) Vernon Philander SA 806 21.68 912 v Ind at Johannesburg 2013

7 (-1) Rangana Herath SL 799 28.04 867 v Zim at Harare 2016

8 (-1) Neil Wagner NZ 784 27.87 785 v Win at Wellington 2017

9= ( - ) Nathan Lyon Aus 769 31.64 774 v Eng at Adelaide 2017

(-1) Mitchell Starc Aus 769 27.73 805 v Pak at Brisbane 2016

All-rounders (Top-5)

Rank (+/-) Player Team Points Highest Rating

1 ( - ) Shakib Al Hasan Ban 438 489 v Aus at Mirpur 2017

2 ( - ) Ravindra Jadeja Ind 406 438 v SL at Colombo (SSC) 2017

3 ( - ) R. Ashwin Ind 385 493 v Eng at Mohali 2016

4 ( - ) Ben Stokes Eng 358 /* 396 v Win at Lord's 2017

5 ( - ) Vernon Philander SA 331 376 v Aus at Cape Town 2014