Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has climbed to No.1 spot in the latest ICC ODI rankings for bowlers. Siraj who bowled a magnificent spell in the final of the Asia Cup against Sri Lanka has climbed eight positions to the summit of the rankings following his Asia Cup haul of ten wickets at an average of 12.20.
The highlight of that performance was the spell of 6 for 21 that dismantled Sri Lanka for 50 all out in the final. That spell – “like a dream”, according to Siraj – included a four-wicket over, a feat only achieved three times in men’s ODI history before.
Reaping the Rewards
Siraj has had a magnificent run since 2022 in ODIs and has been picking up wickets on a regular basis. Although there hasn’t been much ODI cricket played in the last two years irrespective of which one bowler who has stood out in this time frame has undoubtedly been Siraj. Having made his ODI debut in 2018 against Australia it took the fast bowler almost four years to cement his spot in the team.
His most notable performance came against England in the ODI series last year which India won 2-1. He along with Shami and Bumrah were the pick of the bowlers who helped India to restrict the host in the first match of the series which set the tone for the team in the entire series.
Since then Siraj has been making rapid Strides in the format. His consistent performance has made the team management leave out experienced fast bowler Mohammed Shami leading into the World Cup.
Other Gainers
Performances at the Asia Cup also took Afghanistan spinners Mujeeb Ur Rahman (No. 4) and Rashid Khan (No. 5) into the top five. They took two wickets apiece in the group stage. Hazlewood (second) and Trent Boult (third) complete the top five.
In the batting rankings, South Africa’s wicketkeeper batter Heinrich Klassen has jumped twenty places to No. 9 on the ICC rankings for ODI batters. Klassen produced a blistering 83-ball 174 against Australia in the fourth. ODI Over in England, Dawid Malan has moved to a career-best 13th in ODIs after top-scoring (277 runs) in the home ODI series against New Zealand.
He averaged 92.33 with a strike rate of 105.72 and is currently the highest-ranked England batter. Ben Stokes jumped up to 36th after his blistering 182 at the Oval. The top three positions remain with Babar Azam, Shubman Gill, and Rassie Van der Dussen following the latest update
