Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya among Indians to climb up in ICC ODI rankings
Pandya celebrates Steve Smith's wicket in the third ODI (Twitter)
Indian captain Rohit Sharma jumped up a spot in the latest ICC ODI rankings, despite team’s recent series defeat to Australia at home. The opener registered just 43 runs in the two matches he played against the visitors, and is currently placed at number eight on the batting chart.
Meanwhile, India’s stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya improved his ODI bowling status by 10 spots to be ranked 76th among the bowlers. The star all-rounder claimed four wickets in the three home matches against Australia, including a three-wicket haul in a losing cause at the decider.
Sharma gains a rung while Kohli retains number seven spot
Virat Kohli top-scored for India in the final two ODIs with scores of 31 and 54. The cricketer scored 89 runs in the series and remains at number seven in the ICC ODI rankings for batsmen.
Opener Shubman Gill is the highest-ranked Indian batter in the list at number five, and he along with Kohli and Sharma constitute India’s representation in the top 10 rankings. Injured and out-of-action Shreyas Iyer at number 24 is the next highest-ranked Indian batter in the expanded list.
Among the bowlers, speedster Mohammad Siraj is the only Indian to feature in the top 10 ODI charts. The list is helmed by Australia’s speed gun Josh Hazlewood, followed by New Zealand pacer Trent Boult.
In the T20I segment, Afghanistan players were the biggest gainers in the rankings courtesy of their emphatic series win against Pakistan. Ace spinner, Rashid Khan regained his top spot in the T20I bowling charts by dethroning Sri Lankan wizard Wanindu Hasaranga.
Mujeeb Ur Rehman also jumped up to number eight while fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi leaped over 12 spots to be ranked at number three.
 "Aakash Saini")
