Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has replaced James Anderson as the No. 1 Test bowler in the world, according to the latest ICC rankings.
This marks the fifth time that Ashwin has achieved the top spot in the Test bowling rankings, having previously held it in 2015, 2016, 2017 and briefly in 2019.
Anderson, who is currently with the England squad for the ongoing Ashes series in Australia, has slipped to the second spot in the rankings after being overtaken by Ashwin.
Ashwin’s rise to the top of the rankings comes after a stellar performance in the recent Test series against New Zealand, where he picked up 13 wickets in two matches.
The Indian off-spinner now has a total of 907 rating points in the ICC rankings, which is the highest ever for a spinner in Test cricket.
Ashwin’s performances in recent years have established him as one of the premier bowlers in world cricket, with his ability to generate turn and bounce on a variety of surfaces.
Anderson, on the other hand, has been a consistent performer for England over the years, with his mastery of swing bowling making him a formidable opponent in all conditions.
The latest ICC rankings also saw India’s Jasprit Bumrah climb up to the fourth spot in the Test bowling rankings, while England’s Mark Wood jumped up to the seventh spot.
Australia’s Pat Cummins continues to hold the top spot in the Test all-rounder rankings, followed by Ravindra Jadeja and Jason Holder.
With the ongoing Ashes series set to continue, it remains to be seen whether Ashwin can hold on to the top spot in the Test bowling rankings or if Anderson can reclaim his former position.
