ICC Test Rankings: Joe Root regains numero uno spot; Scott Boland breaks into top 10

Sandy Verma

Tezzbuzz|16-07-2025

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the latest update to the men’s Test rankings, reflecting the recent performances in the gripping England-India clash at Lord’s and the day-night Test between West Indies and Australia in Jamaica. While some players saw major gains, others slipped after underwhelming outings.

Joe Root back at the summit of Test batting rankings

England’s batting maestro Joe Root has reclaimed the No. 1 position in the ICC Men’s Test batting rankings. Root, who had briefly lost the top spot to teammate Harry Brookbounced back with a stellar performance in the Lord’s Test. His scores of 104 and 40 played a pivotal role in England’s thrilling 22-run win over India, helping him leapfrog both Brook and Kane Williamson. Brook dropped to third after modest scores of 11 and 23, while Williamson moved up to second place.

Scott Boland enters top 10 with hat-trick heroics against West Indies

Australian pacer Scott Boland has surged into the top 10 of the ICC Test bowling rankings, climbing six spots to secure sixth place. Boland’s devastating spell against the West Indies, which included a dramatic second-innings hat-trick, was instrumental in Australia’s emphatic victory in Kingston. His fiery display cemented his place among the game’s elite red-ball bowlers.

Major movements across the rankings table

India’s skipper Shubman Gill endured a lean patch at Lord’s, scoring low in both innings, which resulted in a drop from sixth to ninth in the batting rankings. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh pantdespite a gutsy 74 in the first innings, slipped to eighth. On the brighter side for India, Kl satisfied and Ravindra Jadaja made notable gains. Rahul, who scored a fine century, jumped five places to 35th, while Jadeja’s dual fifties – including an unbeaten 61 in the fourth innings – propelled him to 34th.

Steve Smith rose to fourth in the batting rankings after a composed 48 in the first innings against West Indies. Meanwhile, Yashasvi jaiswal dropped to fifth after scoring just 13 and 0 at Lord’s – marking the first time he failed to register a fifty in a Test against England.

On the bowling front, Jasprit bumrah retained his No. 1 position after bagging another five-wicket haul. Mitchell Starcwho delivered a sensational 6-for-9 to skittle West Indies for just 27 runs, remained 10th among bowlers but improved his all-rounder ranking by two spots. Jadeja continued to dominate the all-rounders list, firmly holding onto the top spot.