Jasprit Bumrah’s stay as the No. 1 Test bowler has ended, with Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc moving to the top of the ICC rankings for the first time in his career.
Bumrah had first reached the summit in February 2024 and had held the position for much of the last two years. However, his absence from India’s ongoing World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka, combined with Starc’s match-winning performance against Bangladesh, brought about a change at the top.
Starc took 10 wickets in the second Test against Bangladesh in Mackay, a performance that helped him win the Player of the Series award and climb two places in the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings. The 36-year-old moved ahead of Bumrah and New Zealand pacer Matt Henry to claim the No. 1 spot.
The Australian left-armer has spent a large part of his 15-year Test career inside the top 10 and had recently broken into the top three after strong performances in the Ashes against England late last year. This, however, is the first time he has reached the top of the rankings.
ALSO READ | India’s Asian Games cricket campaign to begin on September 18
Bumrah slipped to second, while Henry dropped to third. Australia captain Pat Cummins moved up one place to fourth after taking six wickets in the Bangladesh Test, while Nathan Lyon rose two spots to 10th.
England pacers Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue also made major gains after their performances against Pakistan at Headingley. Robinson jumped 15 places to 11th, while Tongue climbed 16 spots to 17th.
In the batting rankings, Harry Brook and Joe Root retained the top two positions, ahead of Steve Smith and Travis Head. India’s Rishabh Pant rose six places to joint seventh after his brisk half-century against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Ravindra Jadeja remained the top-ranked Test all-rounder.
Published on Aug 26, 2026
