In the ICC Test Bowling Rankings, veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has reduced the distance on the leader. Just two points separate Ashwin from James Anderson, the top-ranked English pacer who just moved up to the second slot in the rankings.
Following his seven-wicket hauling masterpiece against New Zealand, Anderson passed Australia captain Pat Cummins in the first Test at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, which resulted in their 267-run victory. In addition, he broke the record for the oldest player to hold the top spot since Australia spinner Clarrie Grimmett (40 years, 207 days). In the meantime, Ashwin recently outwitted the Australians as he amassed 14 wickets throughout the course of the two Test matches in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Ashwin rose from position four to number two in the ICC Test Rankings with 864 rating points as a result, causing changes in the rankings to occur right away.
The newly crowned No. 1 Anderson, on the other hand, has 866 points, just two more than the Indian bowler. It’s important to note that India still has two red-ball matches against Australia in March to play in order to wrap off the four-match series. While Ashwin will aim to take centre stage and record wickets, it is unclear whether the seasoned player can unseat Anderson from the top slot in the order.
India has seized an unstoppable 2-0 lead in the four-match Test series after a total thrashing in Delhi, allowing them to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia’s consecutive victories in the Test series over the West Indies and South Africa were similarly abruptly ended by the home team. Team India has a 2-0 series lead and needs one more victory to lock up a spot in the championship game of the ICC World Test Championship for the 2021–2023 cycle. The goal for Rohit Sharma and company will be to win the series and secure their spot in the ICC World Cup finals.
