NEW DELHI: Shubman Gill has ascended to the pinnacle of ODI batting rankings, surpassing Babar Azam, while Mohammed Siraj has reclaimed the throne of the No.1 ODI bowler in the world. This exciting news was unveiled in the recently released ICC rankings on November 8, Wednesday.
Shubman Gill, the young Indian sensation, now boasts an impressive 830 rating points, making him the new No.1 ODI batter. His stellar performance has knocked Babar Azam down to the second spot with 824 points. Notably, Gill has achieved this milestone in just 41 innings, becoming the second-fastest cricketer to reach the No.1 ranking. MS Dhoni's record of reaching the top spot in 38 innings remains unbeaten.
What makes Gill's ascent even more remarkable is his exceptional run-scoring prowess in ODIs and international cricket this year. He is on the verge of reaching the 2000-run milestone, a feat that would make him the first batter to achieve this distinction in a single year.
However, it's worth noting that despite his exceptional overall performance, Shubman Gill has faced some challenges during the ongoing World Cup. In the tournament, he has managed to score two half-centuries, including a stylish 92 against Sri Lanka. This impressive display came after missing India's first two matches due to dengue, showcasing his resilience and determination on the global stage.
On the other side of the coin, Mohammed Siraj, known for his remarkable year with the ball in ODIs, initially had a slow start to the World Cup. However, he rapidly gained momentum and delivered an outstanding performance against Sri Lanka. This feat is particularly significant as he had previously decimated the same team with a phenomenal six-wicket haul in the Asia Cup final in September.
Additionally, the ICC rankings include other prominent bowlers in the top 10, such as Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami, underlining India's formidable bowling strength.
Meanwhile, Shaheen Shah Afridi, who briefly held the No.1 bowler spot following Pakistan's match against Bangladesh, has dropped five places to No.5 in the latest rankings. This decline can be attributed to his challenging performance against New Zealand, where he bowled Pakistan's costliest spell in the history of the World Cup. Nonetheless, Shaheen Shah Afridi will have an opportunity to redeem himself as England and Pakistan prepare to clash in their final league games at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.
In a significant shake-up of the cricket world, Shubman Gill's rise to the No.1 ODI batter position and Mohammed Siraj's return to the summit of the ODI bowler rankings add new dimensions to the ongoing World Cup and promise thrilling cricket action in the days to come.
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