Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant on Wednesday soared to a career-best rating in the latest ICC Men’s Test Rankings, following his batting blitz during the opening Test of the ongoing series against England. According to the ICC’s official update, the 27-year-old dazzled with twin centuries, scoring 134 and 118, even though India ultimately succumbed to a five-wicket loss. His exploits have propelled him one place up to sixth in the Test batter rankings, leaving him just shy of his career-high position of fifth, which he last held during this same period in 2022.

While Pant’s latest ranking stands at sixth, his aggregate of 801 rating points marks a personal best, drawing him within a mere 88 points of the top-ranked batter, Joe Root. Root, for his part, continues to hold a slender advantage at the summit following scores of 28 and an unbeaten 53 in the Headingley encounter. Close on his heels is England’s Harry Brook, who remains second, trailing his seasoned teammate by only 15 rating points.

England opener Ben Duckett has also been rewarded with a new career-high, climbing to eighth on the Test batter list after his decisive 149-run knock in Leeds. Meanwhile, the conclusion of other Test series around the globe has brought further reshuffling within the top 20. Australia’s Travis Head, courtesy of two gritty half-centuries during their 159-run triumph over the West Indies in Barbados, has risen three spots to tenth overall.