Kohli retains top-spot in ICC T20 batsman rankings

Dubai : Indian prolific batsman Virat Kohli has retained his world’s number one spot in the recent ICC Player rankings for T20I batsmen following his excellent run of form in the just-concluded series against Australia.

Kohli was the leading run-scorer with 199 runs during his side’s series win that eventually allowed India to replace the West Indies as the top-ranked T20I side in the latest ICC T20I Championship table.

Also making an impact was Rohit Sharma, who scored 143 runs in the series, including two half-centuries. As a result, he has climbed up one place to 17th, while Suresh Raina, who scored a match-winning 49 not out in final match in Sydney, has gained two places and is now at the 13th spot.

For Australia, opener Aaron Finch has retained his second position in the batsmen’s rankings, while Shane Watson, who captained in the Sydney T20I and scored an unbeaten 124, has vaulted places to 11th. He is now just 13 points away from returning into the top 10.

In the ICC Player Rankings for T20I Bowlers, India’s Ravindra Jadeja has returned to the table in 18th position, while Watson has moved up 11 places to 25th spot.

Watson, however, has claimed the number-one spot in the ICC Player Rankings for T20I all-rounders, while moving ahead of Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh and Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi.

Earlier, India claimed a 3-0 whitewash against Australia following their seven-wicket win in the final T20 match.(ANI)