Virat Kohli Eyes to Topple Steven Smith For Number One Slot in Test Cricket

The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli will be undoubtedly hoping for a good show in five-matches Test Series against England. The series will kick off from August 1 in Birmingham. Kohli would also be optimistic to gain number one spot in ICC Test Rankings. And Currently, he is behind the former Australian skipper Steven Smith.

After considering him a central plot in “Sandpaper gate” case, Smith faces suspension from Cricket Australia (CA) for a period of one-year.

It will be interesting to see how batting mainstay Kohli will manage the things this time around in seaming conditions. He had a miserable tour of England in 2014. However, he could upsurge Smith to top the charts as a Test batsman.

Virat Kohli trails Steven Smith by 26 Points:

The Indian skipper needs to present a string of strong performances to trounce Smith.

Presently, Kohli trails Smith by just 26 points. However, due to Smith’s ban of 12 months, he can not extend his points further.

When it comes to ICC Test Rankings, both England and India have five batsmen inside number 50.

Among the Indian batsman, Chetheshwar Pujara joined the list after Indian skipper. The middle-order batsman occupies the sixth slot in ICC Test Rankings.

From India, he KL Rahul ensues him who stands at 18th place. The vice-captain of India Ajinkya Rahane lies at 19th place followed by an opening batsman, Murli Vijay on 23rd. Shikhar Dhawan occupies the 26th slot in Test Rankings.

From England, the skipper Joe Root stands on the third slot, and he is just 48 points behind Kohli. The opening batsman of England, Alastair Cook, is at the 13th spot. Jonny Bairstow stands at 16th position followed by Ben Stokes, who holds at the 28th slot.

James Anderson occupies Number one slot

Among the bowlers, English paceman, James Anderson dominates the chart. He will be eyeing to defend his number one spot.

Apart from Anderson, his partner, Stuart Broad is the other English pacer to find his name inside top 30. He is standing at number 12 slot.

In comparison to it, six Indian seamers mark their presence inside top 30. The famous Test spin duo of India stands inside top five.

Ravindra Jadeja, the left-hand all-rounder, stands at third position followed by Ravichandran Ashwin, who is at number 5th slot.