Tendulkar returns to top of Test rankings

Tendulkar climbs to top spot in ICC Test batsmen rankings, earns 82 rating points to take tally to 891.

Sachin Tendulkar climbed to the top spot in the ICC Test batsmen rankings after his 403 runs in two matches against Australia earned him 82 rating points and took his tally to 891.

The Indian, who has become the number one Test batsman for the first time since 2002 and the 10th time in his career, is 17 points ahead of Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkar with Tendulkar’s teammate Virender Sehwag, West Indies’ Shivnarine Chanderpaul and another Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardene completing the top five.

Meanwhile, Rahul Dravid dropped to 22nd after a modest series while the first-Test hero VVS Laxman retained the eighth spot despite missing the second match. Australia captain Ricky Ponting improved his rankings by three places and now occupies the 16th position while his deputy Michael Clarke’s poor run meant he dropped out of the top 10.

In the bowling category, Indian Zaheer Khan climbed one place to be tied fourth with England’s fast-bowler James Anderson. South African Dale Steyn, Graeme Swann of England and Pakistan’s Mohammad Asif hold the top three spots.

Published in The Express Tribune,  October 15^th, 2010.