Why is Ravindra Jadeja on top of the world in cricket?

Ravindra Jadeja edged past Ravichandran Ashwin to become the top ranked bowler while Cheteshwar Pujara achieved a career-best second rank in the latest ICC Test rankings.

Jadeja was tied with compatriot Ravichandran Ashwin at the start of the Ranchi Test but his match figures of 9/178 was enough to clinch the top spot for the left-arm spinner.

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Jadeja, who grabbed five for 124 and four for 52 in the two innings, gained seven points and a lacklustre performance from Ashwin ensured that he became the third Indian to top the bowling charts.

The 28-year old is also on the verge of become the second Indian bowler after Ashwin to touch the 900-point mark in the ICC rankings.

In the batsmen’s rankings, Cheteshwar Pujara leapfrogged New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, Joe Root and Virat Kohli to claim the No. 2 position. The Saurasthra cricketer scored a brilliant 202 against Australia and that was the reason behind his huge jump in rankings.

Steve Smith continued his run as the top-ranked cricketer with career-high rating of 941 points after an unbeaten century against India and his tally is the joint-fifth highest ever along with Peter May.

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Meanwhile, India will be retaining their top position at the end of the season thanks to their win against Australia in Bangalore. The race for the second spot is still open as Australia and South Africa are competing ahead of the cut-off date of April 1.

Australia will finish second and get a cash award $ 500,000 with at least a draw in the last Test in Dharamsala while South Africa can finish second if Australia loses and South Africa either wins or draws the last match against New Zealand in Hamilton.