Keshav Maharaj dethrones Mohammed Siraj to become No. 1 ranked ODI bowler

South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj has replaced Mohammed Siraj as No. 1 ranked ODI bowler.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has been pretty impressive in terms of some unbelievable individual performances. Though the batters have dominated this tournament and we have seen some record-breaking scores both by teams and batters throughout, there are some bowlers as well that have impressed everyone with their ability to contain the opposition batters. As a result, the musical chair for the No. 1 ODI bowler ranking has also seen multiple candidates.

Indian speedster Mohammed Siraj entered the tournament as the No. 1 ranked ODI bowler, and he was replaced by Josh Hazlewood. Later, it was Trent Boult who claimed the No. 1 ranking, who was replaced later by Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi. However, Siraj reclaimed the position after some brilliant new ball spells, but just after a week, he has also been replaced.

Keshav Maharaj becomes New No. 1 ranked ODI bowler

South African premium spinner Keshav Maharaj has dethroned Mohammed Siraj from the No. 1 spot in ODI bowlers' rankings. The spinner has claimed the top position just ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 knockout stage. Maharaj has been a consistent performer for South Africa in the tournament and has been one reason for their success so far. Maharaj has taken 14 wickets in nine games at an economy rate of 4.37.

He is currently at the top with 726 rating points, while Siraj slipped down to second place with 723 rating points. Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav have moved one position up to the fourth and fifth positions with 687 and 682 rating points, respectively. Maharaj will be back in action in the second semi-final on November 16 at Eden Gardens.

But before that, India will be taking on New Zealand in the first semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium on November 15. Siraj still has a chance to do well and reclaim the No. 1 ranking. On the other hand, Shubman Gill has retained his No. 1 spot in batsmen rankings, while Babar Azam is second. Quinton de Kock has moved one place up to third, and Virat Kohli slipped to fourth place. Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul scored a hundred each in the last group match and hit the benefit. Iyer moved to 13th by jumping five spots up, while Rahul moved six places up to 18.