Jasprit Bumrah has set a cricket record as the first ever to claim the top spot in ICC Bowling Rankings in all formats. Before, Bumrah had reached number one in both ODIs and T20Is. But today, February 7, he’s also ascended to first in the Test format rankings.
Achieving the number one spot in the ICC Rankings is difficult since so many players fight for it. The ICC evaluates every international match for rankings and rates players based on their most recent performance.
Reaching the number one place in one format is challenging, but here are three cricketers who have led the rankings in all three forms at least once during their careers.
1. Jasprit Bumrah
Meet the newest member of this select group, Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah is the initial champ to nail this achievement. Presently, he’s the champion bowler in the ICC Test Rankings.
In February 2018, Jasprit Bumrah hit the peak of the ODI Rankings. Until February 2020, he held this title. His strong performance against England in July 2022 rewarded him with the top position once more.
In a smaller version of cricket, Jasprit Bumrah earned the top-ranking briefly in late 2017. The T20 World Cup, happening this year, presents a chance for Jasprit Bumrah to reclaim his title in 2024.
2. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli, the star batter, became the first Indian to reach the top of the rankings in all three forms. Kohli rose to the top of the Test rankings in August 2018 with a brilliant innings against England.
In November 2013, he first held the throne of world number one in ODIs, though not for long. Later, his career saw him regain and maintain this feat in the 50-over format, owning the top spot for over 1,500 days between 2017 to 2021.
In the Twenty20 International format, the Indian star became the top-ranked hitter in September 2014. Kohli has won T20Is several times in his career, just like he has in ODIs.
3. Ricky Ponting
Former Australian hitter Ricky Ponting was well-known for his devastating hitting abilities. If Ponting got going, no bowler in the planet could stop him. Ponting won several titles as captain of the Australian squad.
In December 2005, the right-handed batsman snagged the top spot in Tests, unknown relinquish until November 2007. By March 2005, he’d already ascended to the prime slot in ICC ODI Rankings,. Notably, Ponting was the pioneer to lay claim to the premier rank of ICC T20I Rankings for batsmen.
During the inaugural T20I match between Australia and New Zealand in February 2005, he secured a game-clinching 98*. The ex-Aussie captain kept his grasp on the apex ranking for nearly a year till he descended to the second rank in February 2006. In his swansong T20I match, Ponting occupied the 11th position in the ranking.
