Dubai, UAE

Star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has leapfrogged Virat Kohli in the latest ICC Test batters ranking after a superb show in the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand last week. Pant scored 99 in the second innings, which has propelled him to the sixth spot. The rise also means former skipper Virat Kohli dropped to eighth spot. In the bowler’s ranking, Jasprit Bumrah continues to lead the way by keeping his spot intact.

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Pant on the rise

Pant was India’s highest scorer in India’s otherwise horror first innings with 20 runs as Rohit and Co got bowled out for 46. However, he made amends in the second innings with a 99-run knock before getting out. He was unfortunate to miss out on the ton against the Kiwis. Pant also scored a ton against Bangladesh last month in the Chennai Test since having returned to the format after 21 months out due to injury.

Pant was also injured during the Bengaluru Test but has been confirmed fit by Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and is available for the second Test in Pune. It will come as a big boost for the Indian team as they look to return to parity in the three-match Test series.

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Bumrah continues to dominate with the ball

In the bowlers ranking, Jasprit Bumrah leads the way and sits at the top after a decent show with the ball against the Kiwis. Three Indian bowlers are in the top 10 of the rankings as Ravichandran Ashwin (second) and Ravindra Jadeja (sixth) make the cut. Ashwin and Bumrah will have a tight race for the top spot next week with India hosting New Zealand in the second Test in Pune.

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With India trailing 0-1, the onus will be on the hosts to win the match and level the series.