Shubman Gill closes in on Babar Azam for top spot in the latest ICC ODI batting rankings; Virat Kohli breaks into top 5
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam remains the No.1 ranked ICC Men's ODI batter despite dropping to 829 points. Meanwhile, Indian opener Shubman Gill is closing in at second place on 823 points.
Although Babar scored a valiant 73 in Pakistan's recent outing against Afghanistan, his overall form at the World Cup has been up and down, with an average of 31.40 in five games. Meanwhile, Gill scored a stylish 53 in his second game back from illness against Bangladesh and has totaled 95 in three innings.
A pair of South African wicketkeeper-batters - Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen, also made their statement loud and clear with remarkable performances with the bat.
While de Kock completed a sensational third century of the World Cup with his 140-ball 174 against Bangladesh, Klaasen nearly scored back-to-back tons with a blistering 90 off 49 against the same opponent.
The top five is rounded off with the veteran superstar duo of Virat Kohli and David Warner. While Kohli is the second leading run-scorer of the tournament with 354 runs in five innings at an incredible average of 118, Warner regained his form with a match-winning 163 against Pakistan.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma also moved by a spot to No.8 thanks to his consistent performances throughout the World Cup. The right-hander has accumulated 311 runs in five games at a 62.20 average and 133.47 strike rate.
South African duo make massive climb in the ICC bowler and all-rounder rankings
The bowling and all-rounder ODI rankings saw Josh Hazlewood and Shakib Al Hasan maintain their top spots, respectively.
South African left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj broke into the top three thanks to his consistent performances, with seven wickets in five games at an economy of 4.60. Fellow spinners Mohammad Nabi and Adam Zampa also jumped to sixth and seventh on the bowler rankings due to their impressive showing.
In the all-rounder department, South African left-arm pacer Marco Jansen made a massive 23-place jump to No.11, following his incredible 75* against England and 10 wickets overall in the World Cup.
The Indian and South African players prospering in all departments has led to the sides topping the points table at the halfway stage of the World Cup.
While the Men in Blue are the only side undefeated with five wins in as many games, the Proteas have won four of their five outings, with the lone defeat coming in a shocker against the Netherlands.