Indian opener Abhishek Sharma continues to sit atop the ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings with 917 rating points, heading into the T20 World Cup as the world’s top-ranked batter.
The 25-year-old left-hander has accumulated 1,297 runs in 38 T20I matches, including two centuries and eight half-centuries. In the recently concluded five-match T20I series against New Zealand at home, Abhishek finished as the third-highest run-scorer with 182 runs, supported by two half-centuries. Despite losing a few rating points after registering a duck in the fourth T20I, he remains comfortably ahead of England’s Phil Salt, who sits second — 83 rating points behind.
With a career strike rate of 194, Abhishek has elevated India’s powerplay batting to another level and has hit the most sixes in T20I cricket since the 2024 World Cup.
Suryakumar Yadav Climbs to Sixth
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, who has enjoyed a revival of form after refining his technique, gained one place to reach the sixth spot in the batting rankings. Suryakumar was the highest run-scorer during the New Zealand T20I series, amassing 242 runs at a strike rate of 196.75 and an average of 80.67.
Tilak Varma slipped from third to fourth in the rankings after missing the New Zealand series following lower abdominal surgery.
Other Notable Movers in Batting
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green and South African opener Quinton de Kock also made progress, reaching 14th and 22nd respectively. Ishan Kishan climbed 32 places to 32nd after a sensational series against the Kiwis, highlighted by a century off 42 deliveries in the fifth T20I that helped India set a mammoth 272-run target. South African left-hander Ryan Rickelton jumped 42 places to 40th.
Bowling Rankings
Indian mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy retained his position at the top of the ICC Men’s T20I bowling charts with 776 rating points. Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed climbed two places to second with 748 points, sitting just 28 rating points behind the leader.
Indian seamer Arshdeep Singh, the highest wicket-taker during the New Zealand T20I series, moved up to 14th place after picking up a five-wicket haul in the fifth T20I. Jasprit Bumrah dropped two places to 15th after taking just four wickets across the series.
England spinner Adil Rashid rose two places to fourth in the bowling rankings, while New Zealand T20I captain Mitchell Santner jumped eight spots to tie for 23rd with India’s Kuldeep Yadav.
All-Rounders
Pakistan opener Saim Ayub regained the No. 1 spot in the T20I all-rounder rankings following Pakistan’s 3-0 clean sweep against Australia, replacing Zimbabwe veteran Sikandar Raza.
These players are set to play crucial roles for their respective teams in the upcoming T20 World Cup, which commences on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.
