Dubai: The inaugural T20 World Cup winners, India, have retained the top spot in the men’s T20I team rankings ahead of the upcoming edition of the tournament, co-hosted by the West Indies and USA from June 1-29. India currently holds 264 rating points.
The West Indies, two-time champions, have ascended to the fourth position, demonstrating strong form in preparation for the T20 showpiece. Following their 3-0 victory over South Africa, the West Indies now surpass New Zealand and South Africa, pushing the latter to the seventh position.
Australia, the 2021 champions, rank second with 257 points, followed by defending champions England with 254 points. The West Indies trail closely with 252 points. New Zealand holds 250 points, while Pakistan and South Africa each have 244 points, with Pakistan marginally ahead on decimal points.
The West Indies players have capitalized on their excellent performances in the home series leading up to their tournament opener against Papua New Guinea in Guyana on June 2. Opening batter Brandon King has advanced five places to eighth position after leading the series with 159 runs. Johnson Charles, who scored 69 off 26 balls to earn Player of the Match in the third T20I, has moved up 17 places to 20th. Kyle Mayers has gained 12 places, reaching 31st with an aggregate of 102 runs. Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie has surged 84 places to 27th after securing eight wickets in the series.
In the latest weekly update, which also accounts for performances in the final two matches of the Bangladesh-USA series and the ongoing series between England and Pakistan, England captain Jos Buttler has climbed to seventh position. Jonny Bairstow has moved up eight places to 36th, and Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has advanced from 57th to 51st.
In the bowling rankings, Shaheen Afridi has risen three places to 11th, while Imad Wasim has climbed 14 places to 38th. For the USA, Steven Taylor has made significant progress, advancing 28 places to 109th in the batting rankings. For Bangladesh, Rishad Hussain has moved up 38 places to 52nd in the bowling rankings.
