Ravichandran Ashwin replaces James Anderson as number one Test bowler
- Planet Sport writer
- 1 March 2023
Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has returned to the top of the International Cricket Council's rankings for Test bowlers.
Ashwin has replaced England fast bowler James Anderson at the top. Ashwin first held first position in 2015 - and has regained the status several times since.
Ashwin took eight wickets in the first Test against Australia in Nagpur - and six more in the second in Delhi - last month.
He is in the XI for the ongoing third Test in Indore.
"Ashwin has an opportunity to extend his latest stay in the number one spot in India's remaining two Tests on home soil in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia," read a statement from the ICC.
"Ashwin is the third number one Test bowler in as many weeks, after Anderson replaced Australia captain Pat Cummins at the summit last time around. The trio continue to make up the top three bowlers in the latest rankings."
Ashwin has taken the ninth-most wickets in the history of Test cricket. He has 463 in 91 matches and is flanked by Australia's Nathan Lyon and South Africa's Dale Steyn in eighth and 10th position, respectively.
Ashwin currently occupies second position in the ICC's rankings for Test all-rounders. Indian team-mate Ravindra Jadeja is in first position and Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan in third.