The MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings have seen a rapid turnover at the top, with the No.1 bowler title changing hands for the third consecutive week.
Competitive CWC23 Shakes Up Bowler Rankings
The intense competition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 has made it challenging for bowlers to retain their No.1 ranking. Shaheen Afridi initially claimed the top spot on 1 November, only to be dethroned by Mohammed Siraj a week later.
Keshav Maharaj Ascends to No.1 Spot
South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj is the latest to reach the pinnacle, rising from No.2 as Siraj slipped down a position. Maharaj’s ascension comes after claiming seven wickets in three matches, including a notable performance against New Zealand in Pune.
Maharaj’s Performance in Group Stage
Maharaj was one of the few bowlers who posed a challenge to India, returning figures of 1/30 when the hosts scored 326. In the final group stage game, the left-arm spinner took two wickets against Afghanistan.
Top 5 Bowlers in the Rankings
Despite losing the top spot, Siraj remains close behind Maharaj, with only three rating points between them. Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, both from India, hold two of the remaining spots in the Top 5.
Glenn Maxwell’s Remarkable Innings
Glenn Maxwell delivered one of the most memorable ODI innings in the final week of the group stage. His 201* off 128 balls against Afghanistan helped Australia recover from a precarious 91/7 while chasing 293. This incredible performance has boosted him 17 places in the batting rankings and one place in the all-rounders’ rankings.
Significant Gains in Batting Rankings
Mitchell Marsh also made significant strides, scoring 177* in Australia’s final league stage game against Bangladesh. This performance propelled him 11 places to No.38 in the batting rankings. Shubman Gill maintains his lead in the batting rankings after overtaking Babar Azam last week.
Indian Batsmen on the Rise
Indian batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma hold the 4th and 5th spots respectively, with Kohli moving up one spot in the latest update. Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul also improved their rankings following stellar performances against the Netherlands in the final league stage game.
Knockout Stages Could Further Shake Up Rankings
As the World Cup moves into the knockout stages, the rankings could see further changes, with seven of the top 10 in both batting and bowling rankings featuring in the semi-finals.
Upcoming Matches
India will face New Zealand at the Wankhede on Wednesday, while South Africa will take on Australia at the Eden Gardens the following day. The grand finale will be held on 19 November at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.