Ashwin rated top all-rounder and bowler in ICC rankings

Ravichandran Ashwin ended the year as the No. 1 ranked Test bowler and all-rounder, according to the latest rankings issued by the International Cricket Council.

Ravichandran Ashwin has taken 72 wickets in 12 Tests at 23.90 this year. He averages 43.71 with the bat this year, with two centuries.

The Indian spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja held on to the top two positions in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test bowlers' rankings, while the national team ended the year as the No. 1 side in the latest list issued. Ashwin also continued to lead the all-rounders’ table with no change among the top five in the list. Hence, Jadeja remained in the third spot.

This is just the second time the top two spots in the bowlers’ chart is occupied by India players, with the pair emulating left-arm spinner Bishan Singh Bedi and leg-spinner Bhagwath Chandrasekhar, who were ranked one and two in 1974.

In the Test batsmen’s ranking, India skipper Virat Kohli has ended the year at second position with Australia’s Steve Smith heading the chart. Pakistan opener Azhar Ali has moved up 10 places to reach a career-high sixth rank, riding on his scores of 205 not out and 43 in the second Test against Australia in Melbourne.

India has 120 points for a successful year as a Test team, 15 points clear of second-placed Australia (105 points).