Rohit Sharma re-enters top 10 in ICC rankings; Yashasvi Jaiswal makes first appearance

Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. (Pic source: RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

India got off to a phenomenal start in the 2023-2025 cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) as they defeated the West Indies by an innings and 141 runs in Roseau, Dominica. The home side was behind the eight ball from the early goings of the Test as India finished the match in three days.

Yashasvi Jaiswal was fittingly awarded Player of the Match for scoring 171 runs in 387 balls on his India debut. The youngster registered the third-highest score by an Indian batter on Test debut. Jaiswal’s marathon innings helped him make a maiden appearance in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings for batters in Tests. The southpaw is placed at No. 73.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma scored his 10th century during India’s first innings. By virtue of his 221-ball knock of 103, the Mumbai batter returned to the top 10 in the ICC Test batters’ rankings. He jumped three places to No. 10, just above the injured Rishabh Pant (11th). Virat Kohli, who scored a patient 76 in the match, is placed at No. 14.

Ravichandran Ashwin extends lead at the top

On the bowling front, Ravichandran Ashwin stole the show, picking up a five-fer in the first innings and a seven-fer in the second innings. The No. 1 Test bowler extended his lead at the top as he gained 24 points. Pat Cummins, who is placed at No. 2 in the rankings, trails the Indian spinner by 56 points.

Ashwin’s spin-bowling partner, Ravindra Jadeja, also went up three places and currently rests at No. 7 with 779 rating points. The left-arm spinner picked up five wickets in the match and also bowled very economically in both innings. The Indian spin duo of Ashwin and Jadeja will have a chance to increase their rating points further as India are scheduled to play the second and final Test against the West Indies in Port of Spain, Trinidad, beginning Thursday, July 20.