New Delhi: A splendid display in the fifth and final Test between India and England at the Oval has powered Mohammed Siraj to a career-best 15th position in the latest ICC Test rankings. The Indian pacer produced a match-winning performance in London to help India register a remarkable win and force a series stalemate. Courtesy of his sensational bowling display at the Oval, where he picked up nine wickets in the match, Siraj jumped 12 spots in the latest bowling charts. His nine-wicket haul included a five-for in the second innings that turned the match in India’s favour.
Siraj’s magical spell with the old Dukes ball turned the tables on England, who needed 35 runs on the last day with four wickets in hand. However, a charged-up Siraj dismissed three batters, including the last dismissal of Gus Atkinson, to earn India a remarkable win. He was deservedly named ‘Player of the Match’.
Before this, Siraj’s best ICC ranking was a 16th position that he attained in January last year.
India’s pace superstar Jasprit Bumrah, who played three of the five Tests due to workload management, retained top spot with 889 points.
Prasidh Krishna also attained a career-best 59th spot after he, along with Siraj, became only the second Indian pair to bag four or more wickets each in both innings of a Test match.
Jaiswal returns to top-5
In batting charts, India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal returned to the top-5 following his second century of the series in the thrilling finale at the Oval.
Jaiswal moved up three spots, reaching 792 points. He and Rishabh Pant are the only Indians in the top-10 batting charts. Pant, who missed the final Test due to a foot injury, slipped one spot to eighth.
Prolific England batter Joe Root consolidated his position at the top with his third century in as many matches, while Harry Brook’s 98-ball 111 helped him regain the second position.
Meanwhile, England fast bowlers Atkinson and Josh Tongue have also reached career-best positions after finishing with eight wickets each in the match. Atkinson entered the top 10 for the first time, while Tongue rose 14 places to 46th.