Indian left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav has soared to a career-best 14th position in the ICC Test bowling rankings, propelled by his match-winning eight-wicket haul in the second Test against West Indies in New Delhi. The 26-year-old's performance catapulted him seven places, underscoring his growing prowess in the longest format. West Indies' Jomel Warrican and captain Roston Chase also advanced, climbing two and four spots respectively to 30th and 57th, rewarding their resilient efforts on a turning pitch. In batting, India's Yashasvi Jaiswal rose two rungs to fifth with a commanding 175 in the first innings, while KL Rahul's gritty 38 and unbeaten 58 elevated him two places to 33rd.
The rankings shake-up extended to West Indies' batsmen, with Shai Hope making a stunning 34-place jump to 66th and John Campbell gaining six spots to 68th, both fueled by their second-innings centuries that mounted a valiant but ultimately unsuccessful chase. India's comprehensive victory in the series—clinched by an innings and 114 runs—has not only boosted individual standings but also highlighted the resurgence of spin bowling in Test cricket. As the Black Caps prepare for upcoming tours, these shifts signal a competitive landscape where emerging talents are challenging established stars.
Switching to the ODI arena, Afghanistan's Rashid Khan has reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the bowling rankings after a dominant 3-0 whitewash over Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi. The leg-spinner, who amassed 11 wickets including a five-wicket haul in the second ODI, surged five places with 710 rating points—30 ahead of South Africa's Keshav Maharaj in second. Rashid's return to the summit, last held in November 2024, marks his second stint at the top since debuting in 2018. Fellow Afghan Azmatullah Omarzai vaulted 19 positions to a career-high 21st with seven scalps, while Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan Miraz (up four to 24th) and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (up 24 to 67th) salvaged some pride.
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In ODI batting, Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran etched his name in history by leaping eight places to second overall, amassing 213 runs to earn Player of the Series honors. Zadran's rating now stands as the highest ever for an Afghan batter, eclipsing Rahmanullah Gurbaz's previous mark of 686 points from last November. Gurbaz himself climbed two spots to 16th, joined by Bangladesh's Shanto (up seven to 42nd) and Mohammad Nabi (up six to 50th). These updates reflect Afghanistan's rising stature in white-ball cricket, blending explosive batting with lethal spin to dominate on the global stage.
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