Ashwin becomes top all-rounder, Rahane up in batsmen's rankings

Dubai, December 8 - India's middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane jumped 14 places to a career-high 12th spot while off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin moved to the top spot in the all-rounders list in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings, released on Friday.

Ashwin maintained his second position in the bowlers rankings, behind South African pacer Dale Steyn. He dislodged Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan from the summit of the all-rounders list after picking up 31 wickets in the four-Test series against South Africa, which India won 3-0. Ashwin was named the Man of the Series for his efforts.

India's left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja moved up four spots to claim the seventh spot. He and Ashwin are the only two Indians in the top ten bowlers list.

Fast bowler Umesh Yadav also vaulted 13 places to achieve a career-best 32nd position after claiming figures of two for 32 and three for nine in the New Delhi Test.

Rahane was the biggest mover in the batting rankings after scoring two centuries in India's 337 runs victory over South Africa in the fourth Test at New Delhi.

The 27-year-old entered the Test in the 26th spot, but after scoring 127 and 100 not out, he has stormed up 14 places to claim a career-high 12th position. The list is jointly headed by Australian Steven Smith and England's Joe Root.

His exploits helped Rahane leapfrog Virat Kohli (up by two places to 14th), Murali Vijay (down by four places to 16th) and Cheteshwar Pujara (down by two places to 17th). India have four batsmen inside the top 20.

Ashwin's crucial knock of 56 in the first innings of the New Delhi Test helped him move up five places to 46th in the batting rankings.As a result of the win against South Africa, India jumped to the second spot in the Test rankings just behind South Africa.

Agency