India, Ashwin retain No.1 ICC Test spots

Dubai, Oct 26 (IANS) India retained its numero uno spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test team rankings while premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also continued to top the bowlers' list.

After completing a 3-0 whitewash of New Zealand at home, India clinched the No.1 spot from arch foes Pakistan. The Virat Kohli-led side with 115 points currently lead Misbah-ul-Haq's brigade by four points.

Australia with 108 points occupy the third spot followed by England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and the West Indies with Bangladesh and Zimbabwe completing the list.

Meanwhile, Ashwin, who during the series against New Zealand became the second fastest to grab 200 wickets, maintained his position with 900 points, with South African pace spearhead Dale Steyn (878) and England's James Anderson (861) completing the top three.

Ashwin's spin partner Ravindra Jadeja was at seventh place with 805 points.

Ashwin also retained his top spot among the all-rounders with 451 points, with Jadeja occupying the fifth place with 292 points.

Among the batsmen, Ajinkya Rahane was the top-ranked Indian batsman at sixth with 825 points, while Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Kohli were holding the 15th and 17th spots, respectively.

Veteran Pakistan batsman Younis Khan leapfrogged Kiwi captain Kane Williamson, England batsman Joe Root and South Africa's Hashim Amla, to rise three spots to the second position on the batters' list which is headed by Australia skipper Steve Smith.

--IANS

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