Dubai: He is on the verge of becoming the highest run-accumulator in Test cricket, but Sachin Tendulkar continues to fall in the ICC rankings for batsmen, dropping a spot to 24th in the latest list released on Tuesday.

Tendulkar is just 15 runs shy of breaking West Indian legend Brian Lara's record of amassing the most Test runs.

Meanwhile, VVS Laxman (14th) was the lone Indian batsman to move up the ladder in the ICC rankings, which also saw Virender Sehwag (11th) and Rahul Dravid (18th) drop down.

Australia's Michael Hussey has returned to the top of the rankings after he scored 177 runs in the drawn Bangalore Test against India, including a 146-run knock in the first innings.

Hussey was placed third before this match, just behind Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka and the ICC Cricketer of the Year 2008 Shivnarine Chanderpaul of the West Indies.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting stays in fourth spot in the rankings despite scoring his maiden Test century in India.

Australian open Matthew Hayden, has however, slipped two places. Hayden now lies in ninth spot with Aussie vice-captain Michael Clarke further back in 15th position.

In the bowling charts, Bangalore Test's man of the match Zaheer Khan gained seven places and now sits 11th spot in the rankings.

Indian skipper Anil Kumble, nursing a shoulder injury, was not so fortunate as he lost eight places, plummeting from 10th position to 18th. The India captain bowled 51 overs in the match without picking up a wicket.

India pacer Ishant Sharma gained a place to be 40th. Among the all-rounders, Brett Lee has moved up one place to seventh.