ICC Test Rankings: Joe Root Takes Top Spot, Rohit Sharma Overtakes Virat Kohli

England captain Joe Root’s gorgeous 2021 kind has seen the Yorkshireman rise to primary Check batsman within the ICC Rankings for the primary time in six years. Root beforehand held the primary spot again in 2015 however had drifted to ninth initially of the 12 months. Since then he has been in masterful kind, scoring 1,398 runs in 11 matches at a lofty common of 69.90. There have been six centuries for the reason that flip of the 12 months, together with three in as many matches within the ongoing sequence towards India. The 30-year-old has hit scores of 109, 180 not out and 121 prior to now month, throughout which he has soared previous reverse quantity Virat Kohli, Australia duo Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson.

“I am clearly proud to listen to I’ve achieved that, it could be good to have the ability to keep there now,” stated Root forward of the fourth Check towards India, that begins on Thursday with the sequence tied at 1-1.

“Hopefully the type of my life remains to be to come back, however I definitely really feel superb in the mean time and want to remain centered.”

For the primary time in virtually 4 years, Kohli will not be his aspect’s top-rated batsman. After only one half-century in seven innings since arriving in England, he has been usurped by opener Rohit Sharma at quantity 5.

In the meantime, Root may have a brand new vice-captain this week with Moeen Ali getting into the position with Jos Buttler absent to attend the beginning of his second baby.

Promoted

“Moeen is a pure chief. He is somebody who the crew gravitate in the direction of for quite a few causes,” added Root.

“He is received an excellent cricket mind, he is finished splendidly effectively when he is finished the position in home cricket and final 12 months for England within the shorter format. He is completely the precise man for the position.”