Virat Kohli becomes top ranked T20I batsman

Mumbai, September 2 -  India Test skipper Virat Kohli has become the No.1 ranked Twenty20 International (T20I) batsman in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings.

Kohli overtook Australia's Aaron Finch, who missed Monday's 20-over clash against England in Cardiff, which the home side won by five runs.Finch dropped 17 points to 854, which, in turn, means he now trails the Indian batsman -- who is currently on 861 -- by seven points.

Moving up the batting table following Monday's T20I were rival captains Eoin Morgan of England and Steven Smith of Australia.

Morgan slapped three fours and seven sixes in a 39-ball 74, which has helped him rise six places to eighth, while Smith's 53-ball 90, which included seven boundaries and four sixes, has helped him rocket 62 places to 96th.

England's Moeen Ali, meanwhile, has achieved a career-high 77th spot after his 46-ball 72, which included six fours and three sixes, which has seen him vault up 79 places.

In the bowling list, Australian pacer Pat Cummins, who had figures of 2/25 in the match, has moved up 11 places to join South African spinner Imran Tahir at the 14th spot. Australia's Glenn Maxwell has moved up three places to 29th.

The bowlers' rankings is headed by leg-spinner Samuel Badree of the West Indies.

Meanwhile, Australia have dropped one place to third in the team rankings after Monday's loss. They are one spot ahead of India.This has put Pakistan in second place, six points behind World Twenty20 champions Sri Lanka. England have retained their eighth position on the table.

(IANS)