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India spinners best in the world

For the first time in 42 years India have the two best Test bowlers on the planet

Australia pace ace Mitchell Starc has moved to a career-best sixth in the official ICC Test Bowling Rankings, but it’s India pair Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja who sit at the top of the pile.

Ashwin and Jadeja combined to take 54 wickets in the 4-0 romp over England in the recently concluded five-match series on the subcontinent, with Jadeja claiming a maiden 10-wicket haul in the final Test in Channai.

Jadeja’s stunning performance, which included 7-48 in the second innings as India won by an innings and 75 runs, catapulted him over four players in the rankings to sit just eight ranking points shy of Aswhin, who remains the world’s No.1 Test bowler.

Jadeja's final-day rampage seals fifth Test

It’s the first time since 1974 that two India bowlers have held the top two positions in the Test bowling rankings, with spinning pair Bishan Singh Bedi and Bhagwath Chandrasekhar the last India tandem to achieve the feat.

Starc’s match-returns of 7-182 in the first Commonwealth Bank Test against Pakistan vaulted the left-armer into sixth, one spot in front of new-ball partner Josh Hazlewood.

The duo are separated by only one ranking point, with Starc (805 points) holding the upper hand over his Australia teammate.

In between Ashwin (887) and Starc sits Jadeja (879), Sri Lanka veteran Rangana Herath (867), Proteas paceman Dale Steyn (844) and England spearhead James Anderson (810) to complete the top five bowlers.

Starc's brute of a ball removes Shafiq

Australia captain Steve Smith retains his position as the world’s No.1 Test batsman, sitting in first place on 918 points after scoring 130 and 63 at the Gabba last week.

India’s Virat Kohli is one spot behind Smith on 875 points, while England’s Joe Root (848), Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson (817) and graceful South African Hashim Amla (791) round out the top five.

Smith’s vice-captain David Warner is in seventh place, with Australia first-drop Usman Khawaja achieving a personal best ranking of 691 to sit in 18th place.  

Top 10 Test Batsmen

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Top 10 Test Bowlers

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