R Ashwin becomes No. 1 Test bowler again after taking 7 wickets

Bengaluru, July 26: Indian offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin today (July 26) became the number one Test bowler again, after taking 7 wickets in the 1st Test against West Indies on Sunday (July 24).

Kumble helps Ashwin to take 7 Kumble helps Ashwin to take 7

In the latest ICC Test Rankings for Bowlers released on Tuesday, Ashwin has returned to the top of the charts, replacing Pakistani legspinner Yasir Shah. Ashwin moved one spot to achieve 876 rating points while Yasir slipped 4 positions. (Indian team can become No. 1)

Ashwin (centre) celebrates with team-mates after taking a wicket against West Indies in the 1st Test

Ashwin's 7-wicket haul at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua, helped India thrash West Indies by a record margin of an innings and 92 runs which was their biggest outside of Asia.

"India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has surged to the top of the ICC Player Rankings for Test Bowlers after a superb outing in the first Test against the West Indies in Antigua which the visiting side won by an innings and 92 runs," ICC said in a media release. (Richards' son gifts painting to Kohli)

"Ashwin, who was top-ranked in the 2015 year-ending rankings, not only regained the top spot with his second-innings haul of 7 for 83 but has also gained in the batsmen's rankings with a knock of 113 and resultantly strengthened his grip on the top spot among all-rounders.

"Ashwin has replaced Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who had grabbed the number-one ranking for bowlers only last week with a 10-wicket haul in the opening Test against England at Lord's. Yasir, who could take only one wicket in the second Test at Old Trafford, has dropped to fifth place below James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Dale Steyn.

"Ashwin has gained five points following his performance in the Antigua Test, while Anderson has earned seven points. This means the pre-Test gap between the two bowlers has been trimmed from three points to just one point only," it added.

In the rankings for Test batsmen, Australian captain Steve Smith is still at the top. England's Joe Root has gained 2 places to be second after his double century against Pakistan. New Zealand's Kane Williamson is third. Indian captain Virat Kohli is 12th after moving 2 places.