In a thrilling update to the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings, England’s Harry Brook has claimed the top spot among Test batters, surpassing his teammate and former No.1, Joe Root. Brook’s rise comes on the heels of a commanding performance in the second Test against India at Edgbaston, where he played a magnificent innings of 158 runs in the first innings, cementing his position as one of the brightest stars in modern cricket.
Joe Root, who had held the top batter position for several weeks, now trails Brook by 18 rating points and sits second in the rankings. Brook’s ascendancy highlights a growing shift in England’s batting hierarchy, with the younger generation taking center stage.
Adding to the excitement is India’s newly appointed Test captain, Shubman Gill. In just his first win as captain, Gill delivered an extraordinary performance with scores of 269 and 161, earning him a 15-place leap in the Test batting rankings. He now sits at a career-best No.6. His remarkable rise has brought him within striking distance of Brook, with just 79 rating points separating the two. The elite group of batters ahead of Gill includes Joe Root, Kane Williamson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Steve Smith—underscoring the young captain’s arrival among cricket’s top-tier talents.
England’s Jamie Smith also made headlines with a spectacular performance at Edgbaston. His unbeaten scores of 184 and 88 propelled him 16 spots up the rankings, placing him firmly at No.10 in the Test batters’ list. The young wicketkeeper-batter’s rapid climb into the top 10 marks a significant milestone in his career and signals his growing importance in England’s Test setup.
On the bowling front, India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah retained his No.1 position in the ICC Test bowler rankings, despite being rested for the Edgbaston Test due to workload management. Bumrah’s consistent performances over the last year have made him a fixture at the top of the bowling charts.
Mohammed Siraj also impressed, climbing six positions to reach No.22 after a solid showing with the ball. Meanwhile, West Indies’ pace duo Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph saw notable progress. Shamar Joseph rose to 29th place, while Alzarri climbed to 31st, reflecting their growing impact in international cricket.
From Pakistan, Noman Ali continues to be the nation’s standout performer in Test bowling, remaining the only Pakistani bowler in the top 10. His consistency with the ball has kept him among the elite, even as Pakistan undergoes a transition period in red-ball cricket.
In the ODI format, Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka has made a notable advancement, moving up two places to secure the No.6 spot among ODI batters. Asalanka’s pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s 2-1 series win over Bangladesh has earned him well-deserved recognition. Kusal Mendis, who was named Player of the Series, jumped 10 places to break into the top 10, landing at No.10. His contributions with the bat have been instrumental in Sri Lanka’s recent ODI success.
Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam continues to hold steady at No.2 in the ODI rankings, maintaining his position just behind India’s Shubman Gill, who remains at the top. Despite recent ups and downs in team performance, Babar’s personal form has remained consistent, keeping him among the world’s best in white-ball cricket.
These ranking updates reflect a dynamic and competitive era in international cricket, with younger players like Harry Brook, Shubman Gill, and Jamie Smith making waves alongside established stars. As new rivalries form and historic battles continue, fans can look forward to an evolving landscape where every match has the potential to reshape the global pecking order.
