Indian bowlers to attain No. 1 spot in ICC test rankings

Only four Indian bowlers have attained No. 1 spot in the ICC test rankings.

In recent years, India have turned themselves into one of the most dominating and formidable pace bowling attacks in test cricket. With pace bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj, India have scripted many big victories in this format. The current generation has also changed the outlook of India’s spin domination in world cricket.

Only four Indian bowlers have so far managed to attain top spot in the ICC rankings for test bowlers. Three spinners and one pace bowler have earned this special prize in their cricketing career. Let’s have a look at the Indian bowlers to attain the No. 1 spot in the ICC test rankings.

1. Bishan Singh Bedi:

Former Indian left-arm spinner Bishan Singh Bedi was the first ever Indian bowler to top the ICC rankings for test bowlers. Bishan Singh Bedi played 67 test matches for the Indian team and picked up 266 wickets. Bishan Singh was India’s top wicket-taker in the 70s. Former Indian left-arm spinner represented the Indian team for 12 years at international level. Bedi was widely regarded for his outspoken nature. Sadly, he passed away in October 2023 losing his battle to long illness.

2. Ravichandra Ashwin:

Not once, but Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has held the top spot in ICC bowlers’ rankings twice in his test career so far. Ashwin attained the top spot in ICC test bowlers’ rankings in 2016 following his 13-wicket haul in a match against New Zealand in Indore. Ashwin maintained the top spot for next six months. His second term as the No. 1 ranked test bowler came during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023. Ashwin held the top position for 11 months before losing the spot.

Ravi Ashwin has so far represented India in 97 tests and has taken 499 wickets. He has also contributed 3271 runs with the bat.

3. Ravindra Jadeja:

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja became third bowler from India to attain the top spot in ICC test bowlers’ rankings in March 2017. He got to the position during Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2017. He held the top spot till August 2017.

Jadeja has so far played 69 tests for India and picked up 280 wickets. He has also scored 2893 runs with the bat for India in this format of the game.

4. Jasprit Bumrah:

Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is the newest Indian bowler to hold the top spot in ICC test bowlers’ rankings. He attained the spot during India vs England five-match test series in 2024. Bumrah is the first and only Indian fast bowler to attain the top spot in ICC test bowlers’ rankings. Bumrah is also first ever bowler to hold No. 1 spot in ICC rankings in all three formats of the game at least once in career.

Jasprit Bumrah has so far played 34 tests for India and has scalped 155 wickets at an outstanding average of 20.19.

(All stats updated till 7th February, 2024)

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