Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Sept 21: After impressive performances in the first T20I of their three-match series against Australia in Mohali on Tuesday, India’s Suryakumar Yadav and all-rounder Hardik Pandya significantly improved their positions in the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings. The former passed Pakistan’s Babar Azam to move up to the third place.
Yadav advanced one spot after earning 46 points in 25 balls, and Pandya rose 22 spots to 65th after hitting 71 points in 30 balls. Pandya has also passed Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell to grab sixth place.
Axar Patel has climbed the bowlers’ rankings after recording a three-for-17 total that propelled him from 57th to 33rd place.
Following a 30-ball 61, Australia’s Player of the Match Cameron Green entered the top 100, but fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who claimed two wickets during the match, still holds the top spot among bowlers.
In the Mohali T20I, India lost its captain Rohit Sharma (11) and Virat Kohli (2) for paltry sums after Australia gave them the opportunity to bat first. At 35/2, the Men in Blue were now having trouble. KL Then, with a 68-run partnership, Rahul (55) and Suryakumar Yadav (46) stabilised the innings. The innings was then declared at 208/6 after Hardik Pandya’s magnificent 71* off just 30 balls, which included seven fours and five sixes.