South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj has been advanced to No. 1 spot in the latest One Day International (ODI) bowlers rankings. As the cricket world gears up for the thrilling semi-finals of the World Cup 2023, a new No.1 bowler takes the spotlight in the latest MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Bowlers Rankings.
The race for the top spot in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings continues to be a lively affair, witnessing its third change in as many weeks. The fierce competition in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 has made it challenging for bowlers to maintain their supremacy.
On November 1, Shaheen Afridi claimed the coveted top spot, only to be dethroned a week later by Mohammed Siraj on November 08.
In less than a week, South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj emerged as the new No.1, rising from No.2 in the rankings. Maharaj’s stellar performance included picking up seven wickets in three matches, showcasing his prowess with a four-for against New Zealand in Pune and a notable contribution against India. Siraj, trailing closely, sits only three rating points behind Maharaj, with Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav securing spots in the Top 5.
In the final week of the group stage, cricket fans witnessed an extraordinary innings by Glenn Maxwell. His unbeaten 201* off 128 balls against Afghanistan, rescuing Australia from a precarious 91/7 while chasing 293, is hailed as one of the greatest ODI innings. Maxwell’s remarkable feat propelled him up 17 places in the batting charts and one spot in the all-rounders’ rankings.
Another standout performer, Mitchell Marsh, notched an impressive 177* in Australia’s last league stage game against Bangladesh, elevating him 11 places to No.38 in the batting rankings.
Shubman Gill maintains his lead in the batting rankings, having dethroned Babar Azam the previous week. India’s batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma secure the 4th and 5th spots, with Kohli rising one place in the latest update.
Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul have made significant strides, climbing five and seven places, respectively, after stellar performances, including centuries against Netherlands in the final league stage game.
With the World Cup now entering the knockout stages, anticipation grows for potential shifts in the rankings. Seven of the top 10 batters and bowlers will feature in the semi-finals, with India facing New Zealand at the Wankhede and South Africa taking on Australia at the Eden Gardens. The grand finale is set for November 19 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.