Ravi Bishnoi climbs to top of ICC T20I bowling rankings

Following his excellent show against Australia, India leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi has now climbed to the No. 1 spot in the ICC T20 International (T20I) rankings for the first time. Bishnoi picked up nine wickets at 18.22 in five matches. Bishnoi has been in sensational form since his debut in 2022 during which he has picked up 34 wickets at 17.38 and an economy of under seven an over.

Bishnoi (699 rating points) has pipped Afghanistan's Rashid Khan (692) to claim the top spot, with Adil Rashid (679) and Sri Lankan duo of Wanindu Hasaranga (679) and Maheesh Theekshana (677) pushed down by one spot to complete an all-spin top five. 

Rashid was often used in the powerplay in the series, and did not disappoint as he managed to pick up crucial wickets and also keep the runs down at the same time. As things stands, he is considered to be in contention for a place in the T20 World Cup 2024.

23-year-old Bishnoi has been picked for the upcoming tour of South Africa as well. He will play just the T20Is, where another good show would surely push his case further.

Among Indian bowlers Axar Patel with 638 points has leapt to 11th spot, while Mukesh Kumar has risen 45 slots to 104th. Avesh Khan, meanwhile, has risen 125 spots to 176th.

Suryakumar Yadav (855) continues to lead the batting charts in the format. Ruturaj Gaikwad at seventh spot (688), who scored a century in the T20I series against Australia, is the only other Indian in the top 10. Despite not making it through to the T20 World Cup, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza occupies the sixth spot among all-rounders, while Namibia's JJ Smit and Gerhard Erasmus take the ninth and 10th spot respectively.