In a thrilling turn of events on the eve of the World Cup 2023 semi-finals, South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj has claimed the coveted No.1 spot in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Bowlers Rankings. This marks the third change in the No.1 bowler position within as many weeks, highlighting the intense competition in the tournament.
Competitive World Cup: Musical Chairs for Top Bowler Spot Continues
The World Cup’s competitiveness has created a dynamic scenario in the bowling rankings. Shaheen Afridi, Mohammed Siraj, and now Keshav Maharaj have each experienced a brief stint as the No.1 bowler. Maharaj’s ascent to the top comes after a remarkable week where he picked up seven wickets, including a crucial four-for against New Zealand.
Australia’s Glenn Maxwell’s historic innings of 201* against Afghanistan, a remarkable comeback from 91/7, has not only etched his name in World Cup history but has also propelled him up the batting and all-rounders rankings. Maxwell’s unbeaten innings has seen him climb 17 spots in the batting charts and one spot in the all-rounders’ rankings.
Batting Brilliance: Shubman Gill Leads, Indian Trio Climbs Rankings
Shubman Gill continues to lead the batting rankings, having dethroned Babar Azam last week. The Indian batting stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, hold the 4th and 5th spots respectively. Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul have surged in the rankings after their centuries against the Netherlands, with Iyer jumping five spots to equal No.13, alongside Fakhar Zaman, and Rahul climbing to 17th from 24th.
With the semi-finals featuring seven of the top 10 in both batting and bowling rankings, the stage is set for more fluctuations in the rankings. India is scheduled to face New Zealand at the Wankhede, while South Africa takes on Australia at the Eden Gardens. The grand finale is slated for November 19 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
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