Maheesh tops ICC Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings

Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana climbed to the top of the ICC men’s ODI bowling rankings for the first time yesterday in his career as he passed Afghanistan leg spinner Rashid Khan. After an excellent series on home soil against Australia, the mystery spinner Theekshana bagged the top position of the latest rankings.

However Sri Lanka won’t be featuring at the Champions Trophy, Theekshana earned the top spot (680 points) following his exploits against the Aussies that included an excellent four-wicket haul in the opening match of that series in R. Premadasa International Stadium.

Rashid only trails Theekshana by 11 points (669 points) while three other spin bowlers Indian Kuldeep Yadav (up one place to fourth), South African Keshav Maharaj (re-enters the rankings in sixth) and New Zealand Mitchell Santner (up four place to seventh) all in the top 10, will be making their appearance in the opening week of the Champions Trophy.

Meanwhile India right-hander Shubman Gill overtakes former Pakistan captain Babar Azam to become the top ranked ODI batter in the ICC ranking. This is the second time Gill has held the No.1 ranking in ODI cricket, with the India batter having also gone past Babar to claim top spot midway through the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2023.

Following the two ODI series against England Sri Lanka Captain Charith Asalanka has moved up eight spots to no 8 while Mohammad Rizwan has reached 15th place. Pathum Nissanka on 13th spot while Kusal Mendis on 21st spot at the latest ranking.

Source:Daily News