BREAKING: Steve Smith extends his lead in ICC Test Rankings, Pujara aims for top spot

Australia skipper Steven Smith is in the batting rhythm of his life. His records are a testimony to the fact. He is always raring to make his presence count on the pitch and his rate of consistency is quite phenomenal.

The No.1 ranked Test batsman continues to dominate the ICC Test charts as he riveted his position by a stellar 141 against England in the opening Ashes Test at the Gabba, Brisbane.

This is Smith’s 21st Test century in just 57 matches. The man of the match player earned additional 5 points to garner 941 points to his name.

At the other end of the spectrum, Cheteshwar Pujara has been India’s dependent utility stock batsman. Deemed as the potential replacement of Rahul Dravid, Pujara is on the way to filling the shoes of what the batting greats did earlier.

During the second Test against Sri Lanka, Pujara became the fastest batsman to 3000 Test career runs in India. He took 53 innings to complete the milestone beating the Legendary Sachin Tendulkar who managed to do it in 55 innings.

Pujara’s belligerent 143-run knock credited him 22 points as reward to which he achieved career-best 888 points climbing from 4th to 2nd position in the batsman rankings.

Virat Kohli, the run-machine has an insatiable appetite for scoring runs. He recently scored his 5th double century in Tests that came against Sri Lanka. He is ranked 5th with 877 points.

England skipper Joe Root who scored a decent half century against Australia in the opening Test is stationed at the third with 881 points followed by New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson with 880 points. The battle for 3rd spot will be interesting.

In the bowlers’ ranking, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin have made some improvisations. Jadeja’s 5/84 against Sri Lanka saw him reclaiming the second spot.

Ravi Ashwin who became the fastest to spin to 300 Test wickets has strengthened his fourth position by adding 9 points to his name accumulating over 849 points. Mitchell Starc’s impressive bowling figures of 6/128 against England in the Ashes saw him sneak in the 10th spot.