Virat Kohli tops ICC Twenty20 rankings
DUBAI: Star batsman Virat Kohli on Tuesday claimed the top spot in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) latest T20 batting rankings after his stupendous form helped India thrash Australia 3-0 in a three-match series.
Kohli hit scores of 90 not out, 59 not out and 50 in the series to gain 47 ratings points and move ahead of Australia’s Aaron Finch.
Finch gained 14 points himself thanks to scores of 44 and 74 in Adelaide and Melbourne, but his hamstring injury in game two ruled him out of the final match of the series at the SCG on Sunday.
Kohli now has 892 points while Finch has 868. England’s Alex Hales is third with 795 points.
India’s Suresh Raina moved up three places to 13th, while opener Rohit Sharma also moved up four places to 16th, after their impressive form in the series. Yuvraj Singh claimed the 20th position.
Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, who scored an unbeaten 124 in the third T20 against India, moved up five places to 12th.
West Indies spinner Sunil Narine, who is currently banned by the ICC due to an illegal bowling action, retained top spot in the bowling rankings with 773 points, ahead of fellow Windies slow bowler Samuel Badree (751).
India’s off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was third with 692 points. Left-armer spinner Ravindra Jadeja was 18th. Meanwhile, Kohli believes Sachin Tendulkar’s advice to him during the early stage of his cricketing career helped him immensely to develop as a player. The 27-year-old on Monday claimed the top spot in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) latest Twenty20 batting rankings after his stupendous form helped India thrash Australia 3-0 in a three-match series.
“I started playing because of him (Tendulkar). I was inspired to do things he did for the country. I always visualise myself in those situations. I was lucky enough to be in the same dressing room when I started my career. He really helped me with the little things that I could improve,” Kohli was quoted as saying by Cricket Australia’s website.
“If he saw something he would come up to me himself and tell the areas I need to work on, which is quite rare. People of his stature won’t always do that. It always gave me confidence and I got chance to bat with him and have big partnerships. That was the most special thing I could have asked for,” the swashbuckling batsman said.
Speaking about the series, Kohli said, “It has been a hectic and busy tour for us, but I love coming to Australia and performing here. People are amazing here and I love to deliver in front of them.”