![SKY, Abhishek among biggest gainers in ICC rankings [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1769592347172_SKYAbhishekSharmainICCT20Irankings.jpg?type=hq)
SKY, Abhishek among biggest gainers in ICC rankings [Source: AFP]
In a significant development, the ICC released the updated player rankings on Wednesday afternoon. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav found himself back among the top ten T20I batters, while swashbuckling opener Abhishek Sharma retained the first position, earning crucial rating points following his exploits in the ongoing home series between India and New Zealand.
The T20I series between India and New Zealand has witnessed red-hot form from Suryakumar and Abhishek Sharma. While Surya has regained his mojo with three consecutive half-centuries, Abhishek has performed the aggressor's role to perfection at the top order.
SKY among biggest movers, Abhishek retains no. 1 spot
Suryakumar Yadav's form was a major concern for India last year. The Indian captain endured a rough patch, managing only 218 runs at a poor average of 13.63 and a strike rate of 123.16. However, with the T20 World Cup approaching, Surya has oozed prolific form, slamming a string of impactful knocks in the home T20I series against New Zealand.
The explosive middle-order batter contributed 32 runs to India's tally before playing match-winning knocks of 82 and 57 runs in the subsequent affairs in Raipur and Guwahati. Suryakumar Yadav's impressive returns boosted his rating points, helping him move five places up to seventh on the T20I batters' list.
Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma, undoubtedly India's most destructive batter in recent times, had an outstanding start to the New Zealand T20Is. The southpaw hammered 84 runs off just 35 balls in the series opener, leading India to a comprehensive 48-run victory.
Although he followed his Nagpur exploits with an infamous duck, Abhishek bounced back in style in the third T20I, playing a pivotal role in India's clinical win with a 20-ball 68. His extraordinary stroke-play earned Abhishek crucial rating points, further consolidating his position as the number-one ranked batter in the ICC T20I rankings.
Jasprit Bumrah, Ravi Bishnoi yield significantly in ICC T20I bowlers rankings
Among the Indian bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah emerged as one of the biggest movers in the updated ICC rankings. The talismanic fast bowler, who scripted India's series victory with a sensational three-fer in the third T20I against New Zealand, moved four places up to the thirteenth on the bowlers' list.
Meanwhile, Ravi Bishnoi also jumped thirteen spots up to the nineteenth following his impactful spell that saw him bag two Kiwi wickets in the third T20I between India and New Zealand.
Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube make notable gains as allrounders
Talking about the allrounders, decorated Indian duo of Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube were also rewarded for their consistency in the T20I series against New Zealand.
Pandya, who smashed a quick-fire 16-ball 25 in the first match and has scalped four wickets across three games in the series, is now positioned third on the list. Dube, on the other hand, moved six places up to 11th after bagging three wickets and scoring 45 runs at a blistering strike rate of 204.55 against New Zealand.
India have already sealed the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, having won the first three matches comfortably. The fourth T20I between the two sides will be played at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on January 28.
