Virat Kohli bridges gap with Steve Smith for the top spot in ICC Test Rankings

First Published Dec 20, 2020, 5:57 PM IST

Indian skipper was the top scorer for India in the opening day-night Test in Adelaide against Australia, of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. As a result, Kohli has edged closer to Australia's Steve Smith in the race for the top spot of the ICC Test Rankings, as the former stay in the second place.

<p>The Indians might have come up with a horrific performance in the opening day-night Test against Australia, in Adelaide, during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, despite all the negativity surrounding at present, the Indians came up with an impressive performance in the first innings.</p>

The Indians might have come up with a horrific performance in the opening day-night Test against Australia, in Adelaide, during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, despite all the negativity surrounding at present, the Indians came up with an impressive performance in the first innings.

<p>At the same time, skipper Virat Kohli was the top scorer, playing a knock of 74. As a result of this, Kohli has edged closer to the top spot in the ICC Test Rankings for Batsmen, currently held by Australia's Steve Smith.</p>

At the same time, skipper Virat Kohli was the top scorer, playing a knock of 74. As a result of this, Kohli has edged closer to the top spot in the ICC Test Rankings for Batsmen, currently held by Australia's Steve Smith.

<p>As of now, Smith is on 911 rating points, while Kohli is on 888. However, Smith has the chance to extend the lead in the coming days, as Kohli would not feature in the remaining four Tests, owing to being on paternity leave.</p>

As of now, Smith is on 911 rating points, while Kohli is on 888. However, Smith has the chance to extend the lead in the coming days, as Kohli would not feature in the remaining four Tests, owing to being on paternity leave.

<p>Meanwhile, Smith flopped in the first innings of the Test, scoring a mere single, besides staying unbeaten on one in the second. No other Indian batsmen are in the top-10, while Australia's Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner are placed fourth and sixth respectively.</p>

Meanwhile, Smith flopped in the first innings of the Test, scoring a mere single, besides staying unbeaten on one in the second. No other Indian batsmen are in the top-10, while Australia's Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner are placed fourth and sixth respectively.

<p>As for the bowling, Australia's Pat Cummins takes the top spot, courtesy of his seven-wicket haul in the entire Test. Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc take the fifth and seventh spot, respectively. As for India, off-spinner Ravichandra Ashwin has risen to the ninth place, following his five-for.</p>

As for the bowling, Australia's Pat Cummins takes the top spot, courtesy of his seven-wicket haul in the entire Test. Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc take the fifth and seventh spot, respectively. As for India, off-spinner Ravichandra Ashwin has risen to the ninth place, following his five-for.

<p>Among the all-rounders, there has hardly been any change for India, as Ravindra Jadeja continues to stay on the third spot. As for Australia, Starc has entered top-five, as he takes the fifth place.</p>

Among the all-rounders, there has hardly been any change for India, as Ravindra Jadeja continues to stay on the third spot. As for Australia, Starc has entered top-five, as he takes the fifth place.