Ravindra Jadeja becomes first Indian since Anil Kumble to top ICC ODI bowlers rankings
In the recently concluded bilateral series against Zimbabwe though, Ravindra Jadeja could not manage too many wickets but was frugal in terms of economy rate. He took 5 wickets in 5 matches at 34.40 and economy of 3.51. Amit Mishra was the star in that series with 18 wickets at 11.61 and economy of 4.40.
Ravindra Jadeja has jumped four places to now become the joint top ODI bowler in the latest ICC ODI rankings announced on Sunday. Jadeja's career-best rating of 733 has him tied for the pinnacle spot with West Indies spinner Sunil Narine.
The Saurashtrian all-rounder was India's pick of the bowlers during the Champions Trophy and performed well upto expectations even during the tri-series in West Indies. At the Champions Trophy in England, he took 12 wickets with an average of 12.83 in 5 matches at 3.75 to top the tournament charts while in the tri-series in West Indies he took 8 wickets with an average of at 23.62 in 5 matches at 4.86.
In the recently concluded bilateral series against Zimbabwe though, Jadeja could not manage too many wickets but was frugal in terms of economy rate. He took 5 wickets in 5 matches at 34.40 and economy of 3.51. Amit Mishra was the star in that series with 18 wickets at 11.61 and economy of 4.40.
Incidentally, Jadeja is also the second in the all-rounders list of the ICC ODI rankings with 377 rating points, just behind Bangladesh's Shakib Al-Hasan who has a rating of 387.
Meanwhile, Mishra, with his amazing bowling performance against Zimbabwe, is now 32nd on the list of ODI bowlers, which incidentally is highest ranking ever. He has jumped a whopping 47 places after his stupendous performance.
While Jadeja is the fourth Indian bowler after Kapil Dev, Maninder Singh and Anil Kumble, to claim the top spot, he has now become the first since Kumble achieved the feat in December 1996.
Meanwhile, India's 5-0 series win over Zimbabwe has helped it strengthen its position as the number-one ranked team on the Reliance ICC ODI Rankings Table.
Though the series sweep earned India just one ratings point to help it finish at 123, it now has a lead of nine ratings points over number-two ranked Australia, an ICC media release said.
Meanwhile, South Africa and Sri Lanka have swapped places with the Asian side moving into fourth place after gaining three ratings points and the African side slipping to fifth after conceding five ratings points.