ICC Rankings: R Ashwin topples James Anderson to become number one bowler in Tests

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New Delhi, March 1: Even as he fights to bring Team India back in the game after a shocking batting collapse on the opening day of the third Test against Australia, senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Wednesday (March 1) became the number-one ranked bowler in latest ICC Men's Test Bowling Rankings.

The premier India spinner has displaced senior England pacer James Anderson at the top and ended the legendary seamer's dominance at the summit.

R Ashwin latest Test Rankings

The tall spinner from Tamil Nadu has climbed to the top of the standings following his match-winning performance in the second Test, held in Delhi last week.

Ashwin picked up six wickets in his most recent performance, as India registered an emphatic victory, to be rewarded with top rankings. While Anderson dropped to second place after England's stunning one-run defeat against New Zealand in the Wellington Test.

Ashwin first claimed the honour of being the No.1-ranked Test bowler in 2015. The 36-year-old has returned to the top spot on several occasions since then.

Ashwin bagged big wickets in India's win in Dehli, removing Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith in the same over of the first innings before returning to pick up Alex Carey for a duck.

The evergreen off-spinner was at it again in the second innings, picking up three of the top five while his spin-bowling accomplice Ravindra Jadeja rattled through the rest of the Australia XI from the other end.

Ashwin has an opportunity to extend his latest stay in the No.1 spot in India's remaining two Tests on home soil in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia.

Ashwin is the third No.1 Test bowler in as many weeks after Anderson replaced Australia, captain Pat Cummins, at the summit last time around. The trio continue to make up the top three bowlers in the latest rankings.

James Anderson Test Rankings

England's 40-year-old pacer Anderson had moved to the top of the bowling rankings after his brilliant performance in the first Test against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui but has since dropped seven rating points to 859 and into second place.

Although the veteran made an impact again in the remarkable second Test, taking three top-order wickets in the first innings, he is now five rating points behind Ashwin who remains on 864 points.

Ravindra Jadeja Test Rankings

Ashwin's spin twin Ravindra Jadeja's 10 wickets in the second Test against Australia also helped him move up the bowling rankings to eighth. The left-arm spinner from Saurashtra - who picked up the first wicket for India in the Indore Test to complete 500 international wickets - has strengthened his grip on the top spot in the ICC Test All-Rounder Rankings. Ashwin follows him in the second spot.

England's Joe Root is the other big mover in the all-rounder rankings, up two spots to eighth.