Ishan Kishan Threatens Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson Takes Massive Leap In ICC Rankings

Ishan Kishan nears Abhishek Sharma in ICC rankings [Source: AFP]

In a significant development, the ICC announced the updated T20I rankings after India's clinical T20 World Cup 2026 title. Swashbuckling batter Ishan Kishan dethroned Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan, threatening Abhishek Sharma's number-one spot in the batters' rankings. 

Meanwhile, explosive keeper-batter Sanju Samson emerged as one of the biggest movers following his batting exploits in crucial T20 World Cup matches, including the final against New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium. 

Ishan Kishan gets ICC rankings boost after T20 World Cup

Left-handed batter Ishan Kishan had a memorable T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. Batting in the top order, Ishan hammered 317 runs at a healthy average of 35.22 and a blistering strike rate of 193.29. 

The dynamic southpaw thus played a significant role in the Men in Blue's historic title triumph on home soil. He also starred in the high-stakes final, setting the tone for India's massive total through a ballistic fifty. 

Ishan's batting heroics in the tournament final earned him crucial points in the ICC rankings, as he attained his career-best ratings. 

Also read: The Sanju Samson Saga: From Dug-Out Shadows To Shining Superstardom

He moved up two places to the second, replacing Sahibzada Farhan on the list. Ishan Kishan has only four points less than Abhishek Sharma and has a golden chance to become the top-ranked T20I batter. 

Sanju Samson rewarded for remarkable consistency in T20 World Cup 2026

On the other hand, dynamic Indian opener Sanju Samson also made significant progress in the updated ICC rankings. Samson enjoyed stellar success in the competition, emerging as India's go-to man at the top order. 

Amid repeated struggles of his opening partner, Abhishek Sharma, Samson consistently provided India with rollicking starts with his stroke-play. The Kerala cricketer made his chances count, finishing the tournament as India's highest run-getter in the T20 World Cup 2026. 

Sanju Samson hammered three consecutive half-centuries, helping his side register phenomenal wins over West Indies, England and New Zealand. His remarkable returns for the Men in Blue resulted in Samson's rise in the ICC rankings, as he climbed 18 places to the 22nd spot. 

Other notable developments in ICC T20I rankings

Among other players, England batter Jacob Bethell, who smashed a sensational century in the T20 World Cup semifinal against India, jumped 17 spots to the 16th position. New Zealand's hard-hitting opener Tim Seifert also moved four spots up to the sixth place following a scintillating half-century in the final. 

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, who was dismissed for a golden duck in the T20 World Cup final, has been demoted to the ninth position. On the other hand, Finn Allen made a progress of seven places to the 20th spot following a stunning century that knocked South Africa out of the tournament. 

Talking about the bowlers, Indian spin spearhead Varun Chakaravarthy lost his first position for blowing hot and cold in the T20 World Cup. Afghanistan spin maestro Rashid Khan reclaimed the number one spot on the bowlers' list with 753 rating points. 

Axar Patel moved six places up to the 17th place in the bowlers' rankings, while Will Jacks jumped five spots to finish the week as the 13th-ranked T20I allrounder. 

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