Kohli consolidates number one position in Test ranking

Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who played a valiant first innings knock of 123 runs in the second Test against Australia at Perth, has consolidated his number one spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test ranking after gaining 14 points to reach the 934 points mark.

The 30-year-old has thus increased his lead over New Zealand captain Kane Williamson from seven to 19 points.

Second-ranked Williamson too has something to cheer about after scoring 91 in the drawn first of two Tests against Sri Lanka, which ended in Wellington on Wednesday. He has reached a personal best of 915 points, the joint-25th highest ever and equal with ICC Hall of Famer George Headley of the West Indies.

Apart from Kohli, India's vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane (up two places to 15th) and wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant (up 11 places to a career-best 48th) have also moved up among batsmen. While fast bowlers Mohammad Shami (up two places to 24th) and Jasprit Bumrah (up five places to a career-best 28th) have advanced in the list for bowlers.

New Zealand opener Tom Latham is another major gainer after an outstanding Test performance of 264* that not only won him the man of the match award but has also lifted him 15 slots to a career-best 22nd position. Fast bowler Tim Southee is another one to gain from the team, his eight wickets in the match helping gain four slots to reach 11th position.

Among their batsmen, Usman Khawaja (up one place to 12th), captain Tim Paine (up nine places to 46th) and Travis Head (up 16 places to 63rd) are the ones to move up the ladder after useful contributions against the world's top-ranked Test side.

There were more movements owing to performances in Perth with Player of the Match Nathan Lyon's eight wickets helping grab a career-best seventh place, a position he had also previously attained in October last year. Josh Hazlewood (up two places to ninth) and Mitchell Starc (up one place to 15th) are the other Australia bowlers to move up.

Indian pacer Mohammad Shami has moved up two places to 24th position while Jasprit Bumrah has also climbed five places to a career-best 28th spot.

India and Australia are slated to play their third match of the ongoing four-match series from December 26 to 30 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.