Gambhir moves to the top of ICC’s Test batting ranking

DUBAI - India’s Gautam Gambhir has moved to the top of ranking in the Reliance Mobile International Cricket Council’s rankings for Test batsmen.

Gambhir, who climbed two spots, has become the first India batsman in over four years to head the batting rankings after a failure by Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf against Sri Lanka in the second Test saw him drop four places.

Both the Test and ODI batting rankings are now headed by India. Mahendra Singh Dhoni leads the ODI rankings with Yuvraj Singh placed second.

Gambhir benefitted from the poor form of Yousuf and second placed Younis Khan.

Yousuf, who returned to lead the batting table last week after his century in the first Test at Galle, scored only 10 and six in the second Test and has dropped to fifth position.

Pakistan captain Younis retained the second spot, but has fallen nine points behind Gambhir.

Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka is placed third.

There is also a change at the top of the bowling charts for the first time in more than three years with Muttiah Muralitharan handing over the baton to South African fast bowler Dale Steyn. Australian Mitchell Johnson is placed third.

Muralitharan, who missed both the Tests of the ongoing series against Pakistan, due to an injury, has dropped to second position for the first time since February 2006.

Jacques Kallis continues to lead the Test all-rounders list with Mitchell Johnson of Australia in second, New Zealands Daniel Vettori third.

–Indo-Asian New Service