ICC T20 rankings: Abhishek stays on top despite lean run, Kishan soars

India opener Abhishek Sharma has retained his position atop the ICC Men’s T20I batter rankings despite a forgettable start to the ongoing T20 World Cup, while wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has broken into the top 10 in the latest update.

Abhishek endured a difficult start to the tournament, beginning with a golden duck against the USA. He was later hospitalised in New Delhi due to a stomach infection and missed the match against Namibia. On his return against Pakistan, the left-hander was dismissed for another duck.

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Despite the setbacks, he has managed to cling on to the No.1 spot in the batting rankings.

Kishan, meanwhile, has been one of India’s bright spots. The aggressive left-hander struck his second successive half-century of the tournament, smashing 77 off just 40 deliveries to earn the Player of the Match award. The knock propelled him up 17 places to eighth overall.

Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka climbed three spots to third among T20I batters following his sparkling century against Australia in Kandy.

There were significant gains elsewhere as well. South Africa duo Ryan Rickelton (up 22 places to 11th) and Aiden Markram (up six spots to equal 15th) surged up the rankings, while USA’s Saiteja Mukkamalla (up 16 places to 21st) and England youngster Jacob Bethell (up 22 places to 32nd) also made notable progress on the back of impactful performances.

The race for the No.1 T20I all-rounder ranking remains intense. Pakistan’s Saim Ayub has reclaimed the top spot, overtaking Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza after his three-wicket haul against India in Colombo. Raza slipped to second, while Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee (up two places) and Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai (up four spots) are now joint fourth.

The bowling rankings are equally competitive. Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan moved up one place to second, closing in on India’s Varun Chakravarthy, who continues to lead the list.

Zimbabwe pacer Brad Evans climbed 10 spots to fifth after back-to-back three-wicket hauls at the World Cup. India’s Axar Patel (up four places to 14th) and Jasprit Bumrah (up six to 15th), along with Ireland spinner Matthew Humphreys (up 23 places to 23rd), also registered significant gains in the latest rankings update.