Batting star Virat Kohli, who averages a staggering 92 in the ongoing ICC World Twenty20 after scoring 184 runs in four matches at a strike-rate of over 132, has reclaimed the No.1 batting position in the ICC T20I Player Rankings.
Kohli had entered the tournament 24 points behind Australia's Aaron Finch, but has now opened up a 68-point advantage over the Australian thanks to his overwhelming show.
Kohli played a pivotal role in India's ride to the semi-final. The Delhi batsman starred with an awe-inspiring knock of 82 not out off just 51 balls against Australia in a virtual quarter-final to bag the Man of the Match award. He was once again the Player of the Match in the high-pressure game against Pakistan where on a difficult pitch, he remained unbeaten on 55 off 37 balls.
In the bowlers’ table, West Indies’ Samuel Badree has returned in number-one position. Badree took six wickets in four matches to date, while Ravichandaran Ashwin moved to the third spot.
India’s trio of Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah and Ashish Nehra have also made substantial gains after their impressive show in the Super 10 stage.
Jadeja’s four wickets in four matches have moved him up three places to seventh, Bumrah’s three wickets in four matches have lifted him 13 places to 13th and Nehra has leaped 14 places to 16th following his four wickets in as many matches.
Four of the top five sides will feature in the semi-finals, which will be played in Delhi and Mumbai on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
Team India entered the tournament as the top ranked team and continue to retain their position after the end of the Super 10 stage. India now have a lead of seven points over West Indies, their semi-final opponent, who are placed third.
New Zealand, which have been the only unbeaten side in the competition to date, have earned six points to rise to 122 and have consequently moved up two places to second behind India. Their semi-final opponent and 2010 champion, England, have also collected three points and are now seven points behind on 115 at fifth place after winning three of their four matches.
Shane Watson of Australia has signed off on his T20I career as the number-one ranked all-rounder. In the batting charts, Watson finished in 10th spot after scoring 96 runs, while he has ended up in 29th spot in the bowlers’ list after taking five wickets in four matches.
