Clarke displaces Gambhir from second spot in ICC Test rankings

Dubai:

India opener Gautam Gambhir slid one rung down to third as he swapped places with Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke who shone with the bat in the fourth Ashes Test, in the Reliance Mobile ICC Test rankings issued on Monday.

Clarke, who achieved his best-ever Test rankings, is now sitting just seven points behind Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara (862).

The 28-year-old New South Welshman has pushed Gambhir (847) into third place after his 93 in Leeds helped his side to an innings victory over England that levels the closely fought series 1-1 with one match to play.

Clarke's captain Ricky Ponting is also reflecting on a personally satisfying match with his innings of 78 earning him two places up to seventh.

Sachin Tendulkar (14th), VVS Laxman (17th) and Virender Sehwag (18th) are the other Indians in the top 20.

In the bowlers' list headed by South African Dale Steyn, Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh gained one place to fifth while injured pacer Zaheer Khan remained on ninth. Ishant Sharma is the last bowler in the top 20.