ICC Test Rankings: Kohli maintains top spot, Pujara placed 5th

The year-end ICC Test batsmen rankings are out and Indian skipper Virat Kohli has bagged the top spot but the longest format specialist Cheteshwar Pujara slipped to the fifth place.

With 928 points, on Monday (December 30), Kohli took over second-placed Australian maestro Steve Smith (911) and New Zealand’s inspirational skipper Kane Williamson (822), while Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne, who has amassed 1,085 runs in 11 Tests this year, improved a place to grab the fourth spot.

Pujara was placed fifth with 791 points, while Ajinkya Rahane was joint seventh with 759 points.

Also read: ICC Test Rankings: Kohli regains No.1 spot, Bumrah at 5th

With his enterprising 95 against England in the first Test, Quinton de Kock not only set up his teams win but also shot into the top of the latest rankings released on Monday (December 30).

In bowling, India’s lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah, returning from an injury layoff, remained static at sixth position with 794 points, while spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (772 points) and seamer Mohammed Shami (771) were ninth and tenth respectively in the order.

Australian pace spearhead Pat Cummins was at the top of the standings with 902 points ahead of Neil Wagner (859) and South African paceman Kagiso Rabada (832).

(With inputs from agencies)