ICC Test Rankings: Virat Kohli Loses Top Spot, Mayank Agarwal Breaks Into Top Ten

In the wake of his poor performance in the first Test against New Zealand, India captain Virat Kohli has lost the number one spot in the ICC Test Rankings. Australia star Steve Smith has replaced the India skipper at the top of the ICC Test Rankings.

Virat Kohli had a forgettable outing in the Wellington Test as India suffered a crushing ten-wicket loss at the hands of the Kiwis. India’s batting failed in both the innings, scoring 165 and 191 to suffer the heavy defeat. The defeat was India’s heaviest in terms of wickets under Virat Kohli’s captaincy.

Virat Kohli managed just 21 runs across his two innings to concede his position to Steve Smith. It is the eighth time Smith has held the top spot since he first occupied the top position during the 2015 Ashes tour on the back of a double-century at Lord’s.

Smith now leads Virat Kohli by 5 ranking points. While the former Australia skipper is at the top of the Test Rankings with 911 points, Virat Kohli is at second with 906 points. Smith and Virat Kohli have swapped places numerous times during the past five years.

Only New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has been able to force his way in amongst that duo, briefly holding the top spot for an eight-day period in December 2015. Williamson, meanwhile, reclaimed the No.3 position from Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne after his 89-run knock in the first Test. But with 853 points, he is well behind Smith and Virat Kohli.

The India batting star can soon reclaim the number one spot if he does well in the second Test at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval that is due to start Saturday. He will be desperate to put in a good performance after a series of poor outings against the Black Caps in the ongoing tour.

In other movements in the top 10 of ICC Test Rankings, Cheteshwar Pujara – who scored 22 across his two innings in the Wellington Test, dropped two spots to No.9 while Mayank Agarwal moved into the top 10 for the first time after his fighting fifty in the second innings. Among bowlers, Tim Southee moved up eight spots to now be ranked sixth following his nine wickets in the Test.