ICC Men's Test Rankings: Ravindra Jadeja becomes the No.1 all-rounder
India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has regained the top spot of the ICC Men's Test Rankings for all-rounder replacing West Indies cricketer Jason Holder
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has replaced West Indies cricketer Jason Holder at the top of the ICC Men's Test Rankings for an all-rounder. The 33-year-old showed his tremendous form in the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka a few days ago.
Ravindra Jadeja against Sri Lanka in Mohali test Image - India Today
Jadeja was 175 not out during the first Test in Mohali and had a record of 5/41 & 4/46 with the ball. However, in the second game at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, the left-hander had recorded just 4 and 22 runs and 0/15 and 1/48 with the ball. He has the highest Test rating of 438 and the latest Test rating of 385.
Jason Holder is playing for his country in the three-match Test series against England in the West Indies and has dropped to number 2 after struggling in the game in Barbados. Meanwhile, he only scored 12 runs and took just one wicket in that game.
Three Indian batsmen continue to be amongst the top 10 batters: Rohit Sharma, going down from 6th to 7th, Virat Kohli at 9th, and Rishabh Pant at the 10th spot.
ICC Men's Test Rankings: Kraigg Brathwaite had jumped up sixteen spots after scoring 160 and 60* against England
West Indies Test skipper Kraigg Brathwaite had a major leap forward in the ICC Test rankings, He jumped up sixteen spots to claim 27th after scoring 160 and 56* in the second Test against England in Barbados. Shaheen Afridi has moved down to the 6th spot after struggling in the Test series against Australia.
Mitchell Starc moves up to the 15th spot after taking three wickets in the first innings in the Test against Pakistan. Pat Cummins moved up to the 8th spot after scoring 34 runs and taking three wickets.
Quinton de Kock moved to number three in the batting rankings, while Kagiso Rabada moved up five places to number 8 in the bowling charts.
Ravindra Jadeja is about to begin his IPL 2022 campaign with Chennai Super Kings. Meanwhile, they will play against last year's finalists Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on March 26.
"India will miss his fighting spirit.. it's going to be a shame not to play against him": Ben Stokes on Virat Kohli's absence in England series
The England skipper recently shared his thoughts when asked about what India will miss in Kohli ahead of their test clash. "India will miss his fighting spirit" says Ben Stokes on Virat Kohli's absence in England series. Discover what else he said.
The cricketing world is buzzing with discussions surrounding the upcoming IND vs ENG series, and a voice has highlighted a significant void: the absence of Virat Kohli. England's Test captain, Ben Stokes, has openly expressed his belief that India will feel the lack of Kohli's renowned "fighting spirit" and other things on the field.
Stokes also revealed how he texted Kohli after his decision to retire and term it as a shame he won't be there to play in the field.
This statement from an opponent shows the immense impact Kohli has left and the challenge India faces in a crucial series without one of its finest test players.
Check the full story of Ben Stokes on Virat Kohli's absence in England series:
Ben Stokes on Virat Kohli's absence in England series
Ben Stokes and Virat Kohli. Image | Instagram
Ben Stokes has analysed how Virat Kohli's absence can affect India, 2 days prior the test series against England. When asked about what India will miss in Kohli after he decided to step down from tests, here's how the English skipper replied:
"I think what India will miss, will be his fighting spirit out in the game, his competitiveness, desire to win." He further goes on to add "It will be weird to not see number 18 at the back of any Indian shirt. I did text him saying it's going to be a shame not to play against him because I love playing against Virat."
Stokes also shared how he feels both Kohli and him have the same mindset when out in the field, and addressed the fact that he has done really well against England in his test career.
England: Ben Stokes (c), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes
Recently the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle ended. The final match of which was won by South Africa. South Africa was successful in winning its first ICC trophy after 27 years after defeating Australia. But amidst all this, former South African captain AB de Villiers has raised questions on the WTC format and has demanded several reforms from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
AB de Villiers has strongly advocated making the World Test Championship schedule more fair and consistent for all Test playing nations. De Villiers, 41, has suggested a four-year cycle like the ODI World Cup, instead of the current two-year cycle, to ensure every team can compete against other Test-playing sides.
Speaking to BBC Sport, AB de Villiers expressed his disappointment. He said, “We’ve had some very disappointing and sad ends to a lot of campaigns, especially the World Cups, but now it’s time to start believing that we can do this more often,”
“[This moment] won’t be lost. It was too big and too special for all South Africans – it was a Test match no one will ever forget. But yes, to a certain extent, something needs to be done.”
De Villiers advocates making WTC a balanced system
AB de Villiers further elaborated during this interaction, “I saw the schedule that came out for the next cycle of the WTC and there is an improvement, but I still feel there’s work that needs to be done there to just to get it as consistent as possible and as fair as possible for all for all Test-playing nations.”
“You want to get to that final feeling like you’ve played against all these nations,” De Villiers added. “Maybe a four-year cycle would be nice. We’ve done that in the past with one-day internationals, so why not in Test cricket? It would make sense and it would give the organisers just so much more time to get a really fair, well-balanced system out there.”
De Villiers believes a longer cycle will allow teams to play a sufficient number of matches, making a team's journey to the final more credible.
South Africa played least number of Test matches in WTC 2023-25
De Villiers' comments come at a time when the Proteas have played the least number of Test matches (12) among the nine teams during the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle. The number was a full 10 matches less than England's 22, while Australia, who face South Africa, played 19 matches during the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle.
From South Africa's 27-year ICC wait to RCB's IPL triumph after 18 years, this year saw some decades-long trophy droughts coming to an end, which raises a question: Is 2025 the miraculous year in sports history? Find out why.
Every now and then, a year comes along that changes sports history. Imagine waiting years, even decades, for your favourite team to win. For fans across the globe, 2025 has turned that dream into reality.
This year has been special, marked by some of the longest trophy droughts in sports finally coming to an end. Teams like South Africa in cricket and Bologna in football have broken long-standing curses, proving that anything is possible.
Is 2025 the miraculous year in sports history? Join us as we explore why 2025 is a year sports fans won't soon forget, and is also termed as "Year of the underdogs."
1. South Africa won an ICC Trophy after 27 years/ 9,862 days
South Africa celebrates their WTC 2023-25 Final victory against Australia. Image | Mint
For nearly three decades, the "chokers" tag clung to the Proteas like an unwanted shadow. Time and again, they reached close to the glory, only to falter at crucial moments. But 2025 changed everything, as they lifted ICC WTC Trophy defeating a strong Australian side in the Final.
South Africa showcased a cricketing masterclass with extraordinary team efforts in a high-stakes final match. From Aiden Markram's century to Temba Bavuma's batting class, they gave it all to earn the standing ovation from the crowd as they walked with pride after the win.
This victory, as Mark Boucher previously said, indeed is the turnaround they needed to inspire future generations and earn global respect as champions that they truly deserve.
They made the world chant "It's time for Africa" with their performance.
2. RCB won their first ever IPL trophy after 18 years/ 6,570 days
RCB lifting the IPL 2025 title after defeating PBKS in the final. Image | NDTV
For 18 painfully long years, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and their passionate fans endured a rollercoaster of hope and heartbreak in IPL. Led by Rajat Patidar, RCB delivered exceptional, balanced performance this season, finally breaking free of their curse.
The image of Virat Kohli lifting the IPL trophy, the last major piece missing from his glittering cabinet, was one of the most iconic sportingmoments of this year. It not only signified the team's victory, but also the ultimate reward for loyalty and career-long excellence.
The overall team contribution and management are the key factors that led them to secure their place as champions, shutting all the haters down.
3. Go Ahead Eagles won the KNVB Cup after 93 years/ 33,968 days
Go Ahead Eagles celebrating their KNVB Cup win after 93 years. Image | Instagram
Go Ahead Eagles soared to their first major trophy in 93 years, winning the KNVB Cup in 2025. For generations of fans in Deventer, this was a moment they might have only dreamed of. The emotions outpouring after the victory were sensational.
Their journey in the tournament was an underdog saga, defeating AZ Alkmaar, where they equalised the final match in the 99th minute to take it to penalties, and ultimately winning it from there!
4. Bologna won the Italian Cup after 51 years/ 18,619 days
Bologna lifting the Italian Cup after 51 years in 2025. Image | SportsDesk
Bologna's victory in the Italian Cupafter 51 years was a testament to patience and a perfectly executed season. Their triumph in 2025, defeating AC Milan 1-0 in the final, was a moment they manifested for years.
Key contributions from players like Don Ndoye, who scored the decisive goal despite returning from injury, and the tactical decisions of the coach, Vincenzo Italiano, brought joy to a city that waited for so long.
5. Crystal Palace won the first ever major trophy (FA Cup) after 119 years/ 43,714 days
Crystal Palace lifting the FA Cup after victory over Man City in 2025. Image | Sky News
Perhaps the most astonishing drought-breaker of 2025 belonged to Crystal Palace. After 119 years, the Eagles finally lifted their first-ever major trophy, the FA Cup.
The single decisive goal from Eberechi Eze and crucial saves from goalkeeper Dean Henderson shaped their 1-0 victory over Manchester City FC. This victory proved that even after more than a century, a club's biggest dream can still become reality!
6. Newcastle United won the League Cup after a long wait of 55 years/ 20,367 days
Newcastle United lifting the League Cup in 2025. Image | Instagram
For the passionate supporters of Newcastle United, 2025 brought an end to a 55-year wait for a major domestic trophy as they won the English Football League Cup.
The sight of the Magpies defeating the 10-time champions Liverpool (1-2) was a powerful moment that reinforced belief in their new era. Goals from local hero Dan Burn and Alexander Isak brought the victory home for them.
7. Harry Kane won his first-ever major trophy (Bundesliga) after 32 years/ 11,676 days
Harry Kane celebrating the Bundesliga win in 2025. Image | Instagram
For years, England's most prolific striker, Harry Kane, was burdened by an unfortunate tag: "trophy virgin." Despite his goal-scoring records and individual brilliance, a major team trophy has always slipped away from him.
But 2025 finally saw the narrative shattered as Kane immediately made his mark after joining Bayern Munich, leading them to their 33rd Bundesliga title. He was also the top scorer of the 2024-25 season, having scored 26 goals and 8 assists.
This victory felt like a personal one, putting a line to complete the picture in his football career.
Buzzing to be Bundesliga top goalscorer for the second year in a row and this one’s even more special as it goes alongside the Bundesliga title! Couldn’t have achieved this without the support of my teammates! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/WnvIvCf28S
8. Tottenham won the UEFA Europa League after 17 years/ 6,296 days
Tottenham lifting the UEFA Europa League title after 17 years in 2025. Image | Sky News
2025 finally broke Tottenham Hotspur's 17-year trophy drought, as they won the UEFA Europa League. This was a monumental win, bringing the title back to North London.
The tense final against Manchester United saw a crucial goal from Brennan Johnson secure the 1-0 victory. However, the most iconic image was Son Heung-min, the club's long-serving captain, finally lifting a major trophy.
After a decade of dedication and numerous near misses, Son's emotional moment, draped in the Korean flag, was the highlight of his commitment and love for football.
MCC Cricket Rule Update: End of the "Bunny Hop" boundary line catch
Cricket law gets a crucial update by MCC which marks an end of the "Bunny Hop" boundary line catch. Get the details of this significant change, and learn how outfield efforts like Michael Neser's controversial BBL catch will be no longer legal.
Cricket's boundary lines have long been a stage for spectacular, often debated, fielding scenes. We have witnessed catches changing the course of a game entirely which also sparked controversies.
However, a significant shift is now underway as the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) decided to put an end to the "Bunny Hop" boundary line catches. Fans will no longer witness fielders performing multiple aerial contacts outside the boundary line to secure a wicket.
Moments like Michael Neser's controversial BBL grab and much-debated relay efforts like Tom Baton with Matt Renshaw in 2020 are now explicitly illegal.
Get each and every detail about the MCC cricket rule update which marks an end of the "Bunny Hop" boundary line catch below:
Understanding the New Rule: A complete breakdown
Tom Baton and Matt Renshaw's relay catch in BBL 2020. Image | Mint
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the official lawmaker of cricket, has updated the law 19.5.2 to address aerial boundary catches, specifically targeting the "bunny hop" technique. Here's what you need to know about the new update:
Initial airborne contact from outside: If a fielder jumps from outside the boundary to touch the ball while airborne, that's their only airborne contact allowed from that position.
Must land inside (immediately): After the single airborne touch, the fielder must land completely inside the field of play. If any part of their body touches outside the line, it will be automatically considered a boundary.
No multiple aerial touches from outside: This means fielders can no longer "juggle" or make repeated airborne touches to the ball while being outside the boundary line.
Relay Catches included: The rule applies equally to relay catches. If a fielder outside the boundary parries the ball back into play for a teammate, they must also adhere to "one airborne touch then land inside" rule. If they failed to do so, it will considered a boundary even if the other teammate completes the catch.
The updated law will be integrated into ICC's playing conditions this month (June) and also into the MCC's laws in October 2026.
They have stated: "MCC has devised a new wording where the 'bunny hop' wholly beyond the boundary is removed, but these catches where the fielder pushes the ball up from inside the boundary, steps outside and then dives back in to catch the ball, are permitted."
"Our solution has been to limit any fielder who has gone outside the boundary to touching the ball while airborne only once, and then, having done so, to be wholly grounded within the boundary for the rest of the duration of that delivery."
"Even if the ball is parried - to another fielder or inside the field of play - if the fielder lands outside the boundary, or subsequently steps outside, then a boundary will be scored."
"For clarity, that means the fielder gets one chance, and one chance only, to touch the ball having jumped from outside the boundary. After that point, the boundary becomes a hard line - and any time they touch the ground in that delivery, whatever else happens, they must be inside."
This officially marks an end of the "Bunny Hop" boundary line catch and will be applied in the new WTC Cycle, which starts on June 17, 2025.
South Africa have broken a 27-year drought by claiming an emphatic five-wicket victory over Australia in the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's. Here are the past winners of the last 10 ICC tournaments.
South Africa have broken a 27-year drought by claiming an emphatic five-wicket victory over Australia in the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's. Here are the past winners of the last 10 ICC tournaments.
The Oval, London hosted one of the biggest cricket rivalries on 18 June 2017. The match was the 2017 Champions Trophy final between India and Pakistan. Pakistan sent the Indian squad back to the pavilion in less than 31 overs and won the final by 180 runs. Fakhar Zaman won the man of the match award.
The night of 14th July 2019 has to be one of the most interesting and different in cricket history. Both England and New Zealand scored the same during their innings and also in the super-over. The result of the match was decided in an interesting method; the team with the superior number of boundaries was the winner. Hence, England won the tournament.
Winning the World Test Championship has to be New Zealand's biggest victory in cricket history. Southampton hosted the final from 18 June to 23rd June 2021. Kane Williamson led the team to victory and the final test match by 8 wickets. With bowling figures of 5/31, 21 & 2/30, Kyle Jamieson was the Man of the match in the final.
Australia once again proved its dominance and worth on the night of the 2021 T20 World Cup final. The entire Australian team contributed their best and clinched the trophy last night to beat New Zealand by 8 wickets. David Warner chose the best platform to prove himself after a humiliating IPL season. Mitchell Marsh scored an unbelievable knock of 77* in 50 balls and won the Man of the Match award.
5. T20 World Cup - England (2022)
England won their third ICC trophy as they clinched the T20 World Cup 2022 title after beating Pakistan in the final by five wickets. Sam Curran was adjudged the player of the tournament for his 13 wickets in the tournament. Curran was also the player of the final as his 3/22 helped England restrict Pakistan to 137 in the first inning. This was England's second T20 World Cup title.
6. World Test Championship - Australia (2023)
India again failed to win any ICC trophy since 2013 as Pat Cummins-led Australia defeated India by 209 runs. Australia scored a massive 469 in the first inning as Steve Smith and Travis Head scored tons for the Aussies. The first-inning score proved to be too much for India as they scored only 296 in the reply and Australia put more pressure with 270 in the second inning.
Despite starts for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, India failed to get close to the score and eventually suffered the defeat.
With this win, Josh Hazlewood, David Warner, Pat Cummins, Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc became the only players to win all ICC Trophies.
7. ICC World Cup - Australia (2023)
Two-time ODI World Cup winners.
Pat Cummins and Australia's dream run continued as they won the ICC Men's World Cup for a record sixth time in 2023 defeating India, again. In one of the most visited and watched World Cup finals in Ahmedabad, Australia defeated India by six wickets.
Despite a great start with the bat, India lost captain Rohit Sharma and post that kept on losing wickets. They could only score 240 in the first inning and though Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami tried their level best, Travis Head's excellent ton (137) took Australia over the line. Head was player of the match in back-to-back ICC Finals.
India finally broke their jinx of ICC finals after beating South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 final in Barbados. They clinched their second T20 World Cup title as Rohit Sharma's men defeated the Proteas team by seven runs in the final.
Virat Kohli (76) and Axar Patel (47) played some solid knocks to take India to the highest total (176) in a T20 World Cup final. Though South Africa were cruising for an easy win, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Arhsdeep Singh managed to pull things back for India with the ball. Virat Kohli was adjudged the player of the final and Jasprit Bumrah was named the Player of the tournament for his 15 wickets in the tournament.
9. Champions Trophy - India (2025)
India made it back-to-back global cricket tournaments with a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy final in Dubai.
Chasing 252 against the Blackcaps, India reached home in 49 overs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The spinners put up a splendid show, helping India restrict the Blakcaps for 251 for 7 after the side latter team won the toss and opted to bat first.
Kuldeep Yadav (2 for 40) and Varun Chakravarthy (2 for 45) picked two wickets apiece while Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami scalped one wicket each. Daryl Mitchell (63) and Michael Bracewell (53) played crucial knocks for the Blackcaps.
In the chase, India got off to a flying start, thanks to Rohit Sharma's dominating 76. Shreyas Iyer (48) and KL Rahul (34 not out) also played crucial knocks as India edged past New Zealand to win the Champions Trophy for the third time.
This was India’s second consecutive ICC title win - it had won the T20 World Cup crown in June last year. India has now won two ODI World Cups, two T20 World Cups and three Champions Trophy titles.
10. World Test Championship- South Africa (2025)
South Africa have broken a 27-year drought by claiming an emphatic five-wicket victory over Australia in the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's. The Proteas made reasonably light work of the 69 runs they needed to win the mace on the fourth morning in London, with Kyle Verreynne hitting the winning shot to deliver South Africa their first men's senior ICC trophy since 1998.
In the match, South Africa opted to bowl first and put on a clinical show to bundle out Australia for just 212 in the first innings, thanks to Kagiso Rabada’s brilliant 5 for 51 spell. In reply, Australia packed up the entire South African first innings for just 138, thanks to skipper Pat Cummins’s spell of 6 for 28.
South Africa continued to fight back with the ball, reducing Australia to 73 for 7 at one point in the second innings. However, Mitchell Starc (58* not out) and Alex Carey (43) led a lower-order resistance, taking the final score to 207 and setting South Africa a challenging target of 282 to win the match.
In reply, South Africa lost two quick wickets. But then Aiden Markram (136 not out) and skipper Temba Bavuma (66 not out) played historic innings and stitched together a match-winning partnership to help the Proteas record the joint second-highest successful fourth-innings chase at Lord’s. They went on to win the match and lift the ICC WTC 2025 mace.
Note: The article was first written by Shreya Ghosh and then got updated by Koushik Biswas.
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