Harry Brook has reclaimed the No. 1 position in the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings, while India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah retained his place at the summit of the bowling chart despite missing the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.Brook returned to the top for the fourth time in his career after Australia opener Travis Head slipped three places to fourth following a disappointing outing in the opening Test of the two-match World Test Championship series against Bangladesh.Head managed scores of 22 and 17 as Bangladesh secured a memorable nine-wicket victory over Australia in Darwin. The result triggered significant movement at the top of the batting rankings, with England’s Brook moving back to No. 1, followed by teammate Joe Root at second and Australia veteran Steve Smith at third.Smith’s scores of 71 and 44 in Darwin helped him leapfrog Head and move into third place.
Brook back on top, Bangladesh stars rise
Brook first reached the No. 1 ranking in December 2024 and this marks his fourth stint at the top. With only 33 rating points separating the top four batters, the battle for the summit could remain tight in the coming weeks, with England set to host Pakistan and Australia facing Bangladesh in the second Test.Bangladesh’s historic victory also brought significant rewards for several of their players.Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto climbed nine places to a career-best 20th after his crucial 84 in the first innings helped set up Bangladesh’s victory. His 659 rating points are now the sixth-highest tally achieved by a Bangladeshi batter.Mominul Haque rose five places to 31st, while Australia all-rounder Cameron Green also moved up five spots to 30th after scoring a century in the second innings. Shadman Islam climbed three places to 58th, Mehidy Hasan Miraz moved five places to 59th and Tanzid Hasan made the biggest jump, rising 84 places to joint-88th.The bowling rankings also reflected Bangladesh’s impressive performance. Mehidy moved three places to 24th after taking five wickets for 66 runs in Australia’s second innings, while Hasan Mahmud jumped 26 places to 38th following his Player of the Match performance.Mahmud claimed six for 55 in the first innings and finished with nine wickets in the match.
Bumrah stays No. 1 despite Galle absence
Despite sitting out India’s first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, Bumrah remains the world’s top-ranked Test bowler.The India quick’s position at the summit was unaffected by his absence, underlining the strength of his performances across the current rankings cycle. Bangladesh’s strong showing in Darwin, meanwhile, allowed their bowlers to make notable gains behind him.There was also movement in the ODI rankings following Afghanistan’s dominant 4-0 series victory over Ireland.Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan strengthened his position as the world’s No. 1 ODI bowler after taking 12 wickets across the five-match series. Teammate Azmatullah Omarzai climbed nine places to 19th after claiming eight wickets.Sediqullah Atal was another major mover, jumping 37 places to 33rd among ODI batters after scoring 313 runs in the series, including 143 and 98 in the final two matches.Ireland’s Curtis Campher climbed 23 places to 36th after scores of 84 and 96, while Andrew Balbirnie moved five spots to joint-47th.
