Brook dethrones Root to become top-ranked Test batter in ICC rankings

England’s Harry Brook has ascended to the top of the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings, displacing teammate Joe Root following a commanding performance in the second Test against India at Edgbaston.

Brook’s brilliant knock of 158 in the first innings helped him leapfrog Root, who now trails by 18 rating points. The 25-year-old’s return to form comes at a crucial juncture for England as they levelled the series 1-1 in Birmingham.

The latest update from the ICC, released on Wednesday, has also seen India’s Shubman Gill make significant gains. The Indian skipper climbed 15 places to a career-best sixth position after scoring 269 and 161 in the same match — his first win since assuming full-time captaincy.

Gill now finds himself just 79 rating points behind Brook, with Root, Kane Williamson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Steve Smith forming the rest of the top five.

England’s wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith also broke into the top 10 for the first time in his career. Smith’s unbeaten 184 and an 88 in the second innings earned him a rise of 16 places, securing the 10th spot in the latest update.

On the bowling front, India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah retained his position as the world’s No. 1 Test bowler despite missing the Edgbaston Test due to workload management. His fellow seamer Mohammed Siraj rose six places to 22nd after an impressive outing against England.

West Indies’ pacers Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph also registered improvements, moving up six positions each to claim the 29th and 31st spots, respectively.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Noman Ali continues to be the only bowler from the country among the top 10 in the ICC Test rankings.

In the One-Day International (ODI) rankings, Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka climbed two places to reach sixth among batters after guiding his side to a 2-1 series win over Bangladesh. Kusal Mendis, who was named Player of the Series, jumped 10 places to secure the 10th spot.

India’s Shubman Gill remains the top-ranked ODI batter, while Pakistan’s Babar Azam continues to hold the No. 2 position.

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