South Africa's Kagiso Rabada has overtaken India's Jasprit Bumrah to claim the top spot in the ICC Test bowler's rankings. With a superb performance of nine wickets against Bangladesh, Rabada not only became the third-fastest Proteas bowler to reach 300 Test wickets, but also regained his position at the top of the rankings. Other bowlers, such as Pakistan's Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, have also moved up in the rankings after their impressive performances. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra has entered the top 10 for Test batsmen.
Kagiso Rabada Reclaims Top Spot in ICC Test Bowler Rankings
South Africa's Kagiso Rabada has ascended to the pinnacle of the ICC Test bowler rankings, dethroning Indian ace Jasprit Bumrah. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Rabada, who became the third-fastest Proteas bowler to capture 300 Test wickets.
Rabada's Resurgence
Rabada's resurgence has been ignited by a stellar performance against Bangladesh, where he claimed nine wickets. His impressive display propelled him to the apex of the rankings, where he now commands a seven-point lead over Bumrah.
Other Notable Performers
Pakistan's Noman Ali and Sajid Khan have also made significant strides in the rankings, moving up to fifth and sixth respectively. Their impressive performances have underscored Pakistan's strength in bowling attack.
Rachin Ravindra's Breakthrough
New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra has emerged as a rising star in Test batting. His recent exploits have earned him a place among the top 10 Test batsmen. Ravindra's rise promises to bring new excitement and depth to the world of Test cricket.
Top 5 FAQs
Q: Who is Kagiso Rabada? A: Kagiso Rabada is a South African fast bowler who has established himself as one of the most formidable bowlers in the world, known for his pace, accuracy, and devastating out-swingers.
Q: How did Rabada reach 300 Test wickets so quickly? A: Rabada has achieved this feat in only 54 matches, making him the third-fastest South African bowler to reach the 300-wicket mark. His exceptional pace and consistency have enabled him to dismiss batsmen with relative ease.
Q: What are Rabada's strengths as a bowler? A: Rabada's primary strengths lie in his raw pace and relentless accuracy. He can bowl at speeds of up to 150 kmph and maintain a superb line and length, making it difficult for batsmen to score runs off him.
Q: What does Jasprit Bumrah's ranking suggest? A: Jasprit Bumrah's drop to second place in the rankings is a testament to the fierce competition within the international bowling ranks. While he remains one of the most talented bowlers in the world, Rabada's recent performances have pushed him to the top spot.
Q: How does Rachin Ravindra's entry into the top 10 impact Test cricket? A: Ravindra's emergence as a top-10 Test batsman signals the emergence of a new generation of talented young cricketers. His presence in the top echelon of batsmen adds fresh intrigue and excitement to the Test format.
With stand-in captain Steve Smith and opener Usman Khawaja leading the charge, Australia piled on the runs in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Khawaja scored his maiden Test double-century and Smith continued to add to his tally after joining the 10,000 runs club. The two broke multiple records, including the highest partnership by an Australian pair in Sri Lanka and the second-highest partnership in Test cricket history for Australia. Now, with a strong lead and debutant Josh Inglis adding to the total, Australia looks poised to declare and put Sri Lanka on the back foot.
On Thursday, it was announced that Stefan Bajcetic, a former Liverpool defender, has joined Las Palmas instead of Porto for the remainder of the season. Despite initial plans for him to stay at RB Salzburg until after the Club World Cup, the player was eager for a change. This news comes on a day where two other former Liverpool captains have also made headlines.
Australia's Usman Khawaja put up an impressive performance in his first test debut against Sri Lanka on Thursday, scoring a marathon 232 runs and forming century-plus partnerships with Steve Smith and Josh Inglis to lead his team to a colossal total of 654/6 before declaring their first innings. This marks Australia's highest test total in Asia and is sure to catch the attention of cricket fans worldwide. Don't miss out on this historic match and be sure to subscribe to catch all the action.
In an exciting Elite Group D match in the Ranji Trophy, Delhi captain Ayush Badoni won the toss and chose to bowl first against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The match saw a strong performance from Delhi's bowlers, with Railways losing five batters in the first 40 minutes of play. However, Railways' Upendra Yadav's impressive 95 helped his team reach a respectable total of 241. Notably, Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli also made an appearance for Delhi, marking his first Ranji Trophy match since 2012.
Australian batter Josh Inglis made a sensational debut in the first Test against Sri Lanka, scoring a blistering 102 runs off just 93 balls on the second day of the match in Galle. Inglis' milestone made him the second-fastest century scorer on Test debut in cricket history, following Shikhar Dhawan's record of 85 balls in 2013. The 29-year-old's impressive performance added to an intriguing trend in Australian cricket, as the last three batters from the country to score a century on debut were all from Western Australia.
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc celebrated his birthday in style by reaching a milestone of 700 international wickets. He achieved this feat during the first Test match against Sri Lanka, becoming the sixth-fastest player to do so. Starc's remarkable achievement further solidifies his place in the annals of fast bowling history and puts him alongside other cricketing legends.
In an impressive batting performance, Josh Inglis scored his maiden Test ton on debut for Australia, becoming the third centurion of the innings after Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith. Inglis reached the milestone in just 90 balls, the second fastest by a debutant, before eventually falling for 102 runs. His partnership with Khawaja, who achieved his maiden Test double century, helped Australia reach 600 runs before Tea on Day 2 in Galle. Despite the strong batting display, Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya stood out with his career-high 60 overs bowled in an innings.
After surpassing former India wicket-keeper Naman Ojha's record, 38-year-old Sheldon Jackson becomes the top six-hitter in Ranji Trophy history. In his 100th Ranji Trophy appearance, Jackson hit his milestone six against Assam, securing his place as one of only six batters to have smashed over 100-plus Ranji Trophy sixes. With over 6600 runs in the Ranji Trophy, Jackson ranks third among Saurashtra batters, behind Cheteshwar Pujara and Sitanshu Kotak. He was also instrumental in Saurashtra's two title wins, including a match-winning century in the semifinal.
Indian cricket star Virat Kohli's return to first-class cricket after eight years drew over 15,000 fans to Delhi's Kotla stadium, with the crowd growing by the minute. Fans packed the Gautam Gambhir stand and broke barricades in order to watch Kohli in action, with some even coming from out of town just to see him play. Despite some chaotic moments at the gates, the excitement and energy of the crowd was palpable as Delhi took on Railways in the Ranji Trophy.
Australia's Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja continue their strong partnership, leading the team to a commanding first-innings score on Day 2 of the opening Test against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's bowlers will need to utilize their spinners effectively in order to take wickets and mount a comeback against the dominant Australian batsmen. The playing XIs for both teams have been announced, with some notable players taking the field for the first time in the series. As the game reaches the 150 over mark, Starc knocks a single to long on, further adding to Australia's total.