Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is the lone spinner to feature in the top 10 of ICC Rankings for bowlers in Tests. The latest rankings for bowlers, in the longer format of the game, is dominated by the pacers. Australia’s Pat Cummins leads the list while his Trans-Tasman neighbour Neil Wagner is on the second spot. Ashwin is ranked ninth with rest spots in the top 10 belonging to fast-bowlers. Latest ICC Test Rankings: From 110 to Number 3, Rise of Marnus Labuschagne in Tests.

Apart from Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah- at number six- and Mohammed Shami- at number 10- are the only Indians in top 10 rankings for bowlers in Test cricket. Interestingly, only three spinners feature in the top 20 list. With Ashwin at number nine, Australia’s Nathan Lyon is at 14th place while another Indian spinner Ravindra Jadeja is ranked 17th. Ishant Sharma is another Indian in top 20 as he is ranked 19th.

Interestingly, in ICC ODI Rankings for Bowlers Afghanistan’s Mujeeb Ur Rahman is the only spinner in top 10. He is ranked third. In total contrast, spinners dominate the rankings for T20I. Out of the top 10, eight are spinners. In fact, in the top five, there is no pacer. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan is ranked one followed by his teammate Mujeeb, New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner, Pakistan Imad Wasim and Australia’s Adam Zampa. Virat Kohli Retains Top Spot; Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara Slip in ICC Test Rankings 2020.

It will be interesting to see whether Ashwin continues to be the lone spinner in the top 10 or not. India’s next Test assignment is against New Zealand in February 2020. In-between, South Africa and England will play two Tests. Also, Zimbabwe will host Sri Lanka for two Tests.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 09, 2020 01:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).