Devdutt Padikkal’s impressive return to India’s Test side has received another boost, with the left-hander making significant gains in the latest ICC Test rankings.
Padikkal climbed five places to No. 54 among Test batters after a prolific two-Test series against Sri Lanka. The 26-year-old finished the tour with 328 runs at an average of 109.33, including centuries in both Galle and Colombo.
His second hundred, a 117-run knock in Colombo, came at a crucial stage as India reached 300/5 at the end of the opening day before eventually posting 503/9. Sri Lanka later fought through the follow-on to secure a draw, but Padikkal emerged as one of India’s biggest positives from the series.
Shubman Gill praises Devdutt Padikkal
India captain Shubman Gill praised Padikkal after the Colombo Test, highlighting the batter’s ability to turn promising starts into substantial scores.
“We speak about once a batter is set, he should make the most of it. And Devdutt showed that,” Gill said after the Test. “The way he batted in the series was a treat to watch. It truly tells the mindset of a player.”
India eventually secured a 1-0 series victory over Sri Lanka, with Padikkal’s consistency playing a key role in the visitors’ campaign.
Sonal Dinusha jumps 29 places
Sri Lanka’s Sonal Dinusha was the biggest mover among Test batters in the latest rankings update.
The youngster surged 29 places to No. 25 after producing a remarkable performance in Colombo. Dinusha scored 103 in Sri Lanka’s first innings before making an unbeaten 133 in the second innings.
His twin efforts helped Sri Lanka avoid a series sweep and force a draw after India had dominated large portions of the Test.
Kamindu Mendis also moved two places to No. 10, following his half-century in the second innings.
At the top of the Test batting rankings, Harry Brook retained the No. 1 position despite modest scores of 15 and 34 against Pakistan at Lord’s. Steve Smith moved up to second, while Joe Root slipped to third.
Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel was another notable gainer, climbing 15 places to No. 18.
Ollie Robinson breaks into Test bowling top five
England pacer Ollie Robinson made the biggest move among Test bowlers after taking eight wickets at Lord’s.
Robinson climbed six places to No. 5, returning to the Test bowling top five for the first time since July 2023.
Australia’s Mitchell Starc retained the No. 1 spot after moving ahead of India’s Jasprit Bumrah in last month’s rankings.
Sri Lanka’s Asitha Fernando climbed four places to No. 11 following his four-wicket haul against India in Colombo. Josh Tongue also moved four places to joint 13th, while Pakistan seamer Mohammad Abbas gained 10 places to reach joint 15th.
Dewald Brevis rises in T20I rankings
There was also movement in the latest T20I rankings.
South Africa’s Dewald Brevis climbed six places to No. 4 among T20I batters after scores of 75, 75 not out and 41 during the tri-series in Namibia.
India continue to have two batters inside the top three, with Ishan Kishan ranked No. 1 and Abhishek Sharma at No. 3, behind Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan.
Rashid Khan retained the No. 1 position among T20I bowlers, while South Africa’s Brad Evans and Kwena Maphaka also made gains.
