Ravindra Jadeja Marco Jansen (Source: AFP & AP)
Ravindra Jadeja’s long reign at the top of the ICC Men’s Test all-rounder rankings has come to an end, with South Africa’s Marco Jansen claiming the No. 1 position for the first time in his career. Jansen’s outstanding all-round performance against Australia has helped him overtake the Indian veteran in the latest rankings update on October 28, 2026.
The South African left-armer made a significant impact in the second Test, scoring 85 runs and claiming a five-wicket haul as his side dominated Australia. His performance underlined his value as a genuine all-rounder who can change a Test match with both bat and ball.
Ravindra Jadeja's long reign comes to an end
For Jadeja, the rankings change brings an end to a remarkable spell at the top.
The Indian star had remained the leading Test all-rounder for more than four years, 1,693 days to be precise, building a reputation for consistency with his left-arm spin, reliable lower-order batting and outstanding fielding.
However, while Jadeja’s run was exceptional, it was not the longest reign in the history of the ICC Test all-rounder rankings.
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On the same note, let’s take a stroll down the memory lane and recall the time when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had wrongly declared Ravindra Jadeja to have broken the world record of holding the longest streak as the No. 1 all-rounder in Test cricket’s history.
Who holds the record for the longest reign as No. 1 Test all-rounder?
In May 2025, the BCCI congratulated Jadeja on social media for becoming the longest-reigning No. 1 Test all-rounder. At that point, he had held the top position for 1,152 days, having overtaken West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder in March 2022.
However, the claim overlooked the ICC’s historical rankings. While Jadeja had surpassed Kallis’ earlier 1,149-day spell, he had not beaten Kallis’s longer 1,827-day reign.
South African great Jacques Kallis enjoyed a longer continuous reign than Jadeja. Kallis held the No. 1 position from December 19, 2006, to December 19, 2011, for 1,827 days. He had another separate spell at the top lasting 1,149 days between March 2002 and May 2005.
The BCCI’s post therefore celebrated a significant achievement but incorrectly described it as a world record.
Jadeja’s reign at the summit still unprecedented
Jadeja’s achievement remains remarkable. His sustained excellence with both bat and ball made him one of the most dependable all-rounders in Test cricket, and his lengthy stay at the top reflected his consistency across several years.
Now, with Marco Jansen taking over the No. 1 position following his match-defining performance against Australia, the rankings have entered a new chapter. Jansen has earned the distinction for the first time, but the historical benchmark remains firmly with Jacques Kallis.
