In the ever-evolving landscape of international cricket, the ascent of Ravi Bishnoi to the summit of the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings stands as a testament to his meteoric rise and consistent performances. At just 23 years old, Ravi Bishnoi has swiftly claimed the title of the No.1 bowler, a remarkable feat considering his international debut took place merely at the beginning of last year.
The leg-spinner’s journey to the top echelon of T20I bowling rankings was not unforeseen, tracing its roots back to the ICC Men’s Under 19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa in 2020. Ravi Bishnoi’s standout performance, finishing the tournament with the highest number of wickets (17), played a pivotal role in India reaching the final, eventually falling to Bangladesh.
Despite the presence of stalwarts like Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravichandran Ashwin in India’s formidable bowling lineup, Ravi Bishnoi has consistently showcased his talent whenever given the chance. His recent accolade as the Player of the Series in India’s triumphant 4-1 series against Australia solidified his reputation as a key contributor.
Since his debut against the West Indies in February 2022, Ravi Bishnoi has scalped an impressive 34 wickets in 21 T20I matches, underlining his impact on the field. What sets him apart is not just his wicket-taking ability but also his economical bowling, boasting an enviable economy rate of 7.14, placing him among the best in India’s current bowling contingent.
The spinner’s remarkable rise from the U19 World Cup to the top of the T20I rankings is a testament to his dedication, skill, and the opportunities he seized along the way. Despite being in the shadow of more established names, Ravi Bishnoi’s perseverance and consistency have propelled him to the pinnacle of T20I bowling.
With Ravi Bishnoi’s ascent, there are inevitable shifts in the rankings for other bowlers. Rashid Khan, Adil Rashid, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Maheesh Theekshana all slide down one spot within the top 10, making way for the new No.1. Meanwhile, Axar Patel, another Indian spinner, makes a significant leap, rising 16 places to claim the 11th spot.
The batting rankings also witness some noteworthy changes, with young Indian talent Yashasvi Jaiswal surging up 16 places to 19th. His rise is indicative of the depth and talent in India’s batting lineup. Suryakumar Yadav retains his top spot, while Australia’s Travis Head climbs 16 places to 29th after an impressive series in the subcontinent.
Switching gears to the Test arena, the clash between Bangladesh and New Zealand brought about some movements in the rankings. Daryl Mitchell’s commendable performances with scores of 41 and 58 propel him one place up to seventh among the batters. Kane Williamson maintains his stronghold as the top-ranked Test batter, while Bangladesh’s skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto jumps 13 places to 42nd following his superb century in the second innings against the Black Caps.
In the bowling department, the top 10 Test bowlers remain unchanged, with Ashwin leading the pack. However, New Zealand’s towering pacer Kyle Jamieson re-enters the rankings at No.13 after his return to red-ball cricket. Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam makes a significant leap, climbing four places to a career-best 14th, propelled by his stellar 10-wicket haul and Player of the Match performance against New Zealand.
Notably, Taijul’s 708 rating points set a new record for the highest-ever by a Bangladeshi bowler, surpassing Shakib Al Hasan’s previous record of 705 achieved in August 2017.
Shifting focus to the One Day Internationals (ODIs), Shubman Gill maintains his position as the top-ranked ODI batsman, while South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj leads the bowling charts. The ongoing series between the West Indies and England has also seen some movements, with West Indies captain Shai Hope climbing four places to 11th in the batting rankings after notching his 16th ODI century in Antigua. His teammate, Brandon King, rises six spots to 78th, showcasing the dynamic nature of ODI rankings.
In the dynamic realm of international cricket, where fortunes can change with each match, these rankings reflect the current form and impact of players across formats. Ravi Bishnoi’s rapid rise to the No.1 spot in T20Is is a symbol of the sport’s ability to provide a stage for emerging talents to shine, making each series and each performance a chapter in the ever-evolving narrative of cricket.
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