Mohammed Siraj reclaims number 1 ODI bowler ranking (AP Image)
Mohammed Siraj reclaimed number 1 ODI bowler crown while Shubman Gill also closed in on Babar Azam’s number 1 spot in batsmen’s rankings
Mohammed Siraj was unplayable in the Asia Cup 2023 final as the 29-year-old’s six-wicket haul helped India win a record-extending 8th Asia Cup crown. The Hyderabad pacer has thus been rewarded for his stellar outing in the continental tournament as Siraj rose to the top of ICC ODI bowlers’ rankings jumping 8 places to climb to the top.
Siraj was in ninth place before the final but he has displaced Josh Hazlewood at the top of the pile. Earlier, he was the top-ranked ODI bowler in March but later slipped down the pecking order.
In total, Siraj picked up 10 wickets in the Asia Cup 2023, including six in the final itself with an average of 12.2.
Australia’s Hazlewood slipped to second place, while Trent Boult dropped to third place, followed by Afghanistan duo Rashid Khan and Mujeeb ur Rahman who make up the top five.
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Siraj’s fellow compatriot Kuldeep Yadav, who also impressed throughout the tournament dropped 3 spots to ninth place with Mitchell Starc, Matt Henry, Adan Zampa and Shaheen Afridi completing the top ten.
There was plenty of activity in the men’s batting list as well, while Pakistan captain Babar Azam has retained his place at the top of the pile, Indian star Shubman Gill has moved within touching distance of the number 1 crown. While Babar has 857 rating points, Gill has amassed 814 points and the Indian opener will be hopeful of continuing his rise with impressive displays in the 3-match ODI series against Australia at home.
The first match of the ODI series will be played in Mohali on September 22, followed by the second ODI in Indore and the series finale in Rajkot. The three fixtures will give Shubman a good opportunity to displace Babar at the top. Babar’s compatriot Imam-ul-Haq moved to fourth place, Ireland star Harry Tector is the new number five while Virat Kohli retained his place as the number 8 ranked ODI batter.
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Indian captain Rohit Sharma didn’t bat in the Asia Cup final and thus he has slipped to tenth place and the Indian duo could slip further down the order having been rested for the first two ODIs.