Dubai: India’s Ravichandran Ashwin reclaimed the top spot in the Test bowler’s rankings on Wednesday following his nine-wicket haul in the fifth and final Test against England last week.
It was a memorable 100th Test match in Dharamsala for India’s spin spearhead, who finished as the leading wicket-taker of the series with 26 dismissals.
Ashwin, who claimed his 500th Test wicket in the third test in Rajkot, replaced team mate Jasprit Bumrah at the top of the test rankings.
Bumrah slipped to third place behind Australia’s Josh Hazlewood, who moved up two rungs after claiming six wickets in the second test against New Zealand.
It was the sixth time in his career that Ashwin rose to the top spot in ranking and it was an eventful series against England for the 37-year-old.
The off-spinner temporarily withdrew from the Rajkot Test to be with his ailing mother in Chennai before he reunited with the squad on day four of the contest.
Ashwin, on his YouTube channel, thanked India captain Rohit Sharma for letting him to be with his mother in Chennai when the test was on.
“Rohit is a special person, an outstanding leader, with a golden heart,” the spinner said. “I saw it first-hand. I’d give my life for him on the field, that’s the kind of captain he is.”
Anderson says he’s in ‘best shape’ ahead of England’s home summer
James Anderson says he still has to show he deserves his spot in the England Test squad ahead of the home summer but the 41-year-old seamer believes he is in the “best shape” of his life.
The first fast bowler to claim 700 Test wickets, Anderson is keen to add to his tally in three-match home series against West Indies in July and Sri Lanka in August-September.
“I want to make sure I’m playing well and earn my place in the team,” the 187-Test veteran told the BBC Tailenders podcast.
“I’m not getting any worse. I’m definitely in the best shape I’ve ever been in.
“I like where my game is at and I still have that enjoyment of turning up every day and trying to get better in the nets.
“My place in the team is not a given so I’ve got to work hard to prove I’m worth a place in the summer.”
England’s ultra-aggressive approach was heavily criticized after their 4-1 drubbing in India but Anderson said the team were in a “good place” under captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum.
“I really enjoyed this tour,” Anderson said.
“I’ve been on tours to India before where little cracks start appearing in the team and that’s not happened this time.
“We’ve stuck together really well, we really enjoy being together as a group and there is more to come from this team.”