Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma (Image Credit: Twitter)

Cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra hailed Indian opener, Rohit Sharma, for climbing over Indian skipper Virat Kohli in the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings.

On Wednesday, Rohit attained his career’s best position in the Test rankings after he secured the fifth spot and pushed Kohli down to sixth. Rohit’s progress came after he scored 19 & 59 against England in the third Test at Headingley.

Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma (Image Credit: Twitter)

First time since 2017 that an Indian player has gone above Virat Kohli in the ICC Test batting rankings: Aakash Chopra

On the other hand, Kohli had a lean patch with the bad, the skipper accumulated just 124 runs from five innings with an average of 24.8. This was the first instance that any other Indian batsman has achieved the top-ranking ahead of Kohli in Tests since 2017.

“Rohit Sharma has gone up in the rankings. This is the first time since 2017 that an Indian player has gone above Virat Kohli in the ICC Test batting rankings,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel. 

Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra (Image Credit: Twitter)

“There was the only one incident where Cheteshwar Pujara was above Virat Kohli. After that, Virat Kohli has always been the top-ranked Indian batsman in Test matches. That has changed now, Rohit Sharma has now gone over him because his performances in the series have been outstanding,” he added. 

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Joe Root displaces Kane Williamson to attain No.1 Test batsman position

Meanwhile, England skipper Joe Root toppled Kane Williamson to reach the top of the charts after having an incredible outing with the bat. Root scored a staggering 507 at an average of 126.75 in this series.

Joe Root
Joe Root en route to his hundred at Headingley. (Image Credit: Twitter)

“Root has gone to No.1 and Rohit Sharma is the highest-ranked Indian Test batsman at this point in time. Pujara’s points have also increased a little, so he has also moved upwards. Pant has come down slightly but is still okay. I mean Indians are still there,” Chopra mentioned. 

India and England are tied at 1-1 and are currently playing the fourth Test at Kennington Oval in London.

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