India spinner reaches new heights on T20I rankings charts

By Admin

18 Dec, 2025

India’s preparations for defending their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title have received a major boost, as star spinner Varun Chakravarthy has scaled new heights in the latest ICC Men’s T20I Bowler Rankings. His consistent performances against South Africa underline India’s growing dominance in the shortest format of the game.

Varun Chakravarthy’s Career-Best Milestone

Varun Chakravarthy has strengthened his position as the No.1 ranked T20I spinner, achieving a career-best rating of 818 points. This landmark comes on the back of his third consecutive two-wicket haul in India’s ongoing five-match T20I series at home against South Africa.

Across the first three matches, the right-arm spinner has picked up six wickets, showcasing both control and wicket-taking ability. His spell of 2/11 in four overs at Dharamsala proved decisive, playing a pivotal role in India’s convincing seven-wicket victory.

Dominance at the Top of the Rankings

With 818 rating points, Chakravarthy now enjoys a massive 119-point lead over his nearest competitor, New Zealand seamer Jacob Duffy (699). The 34-year-old has also entered elite territory, breaking into the top 10 highest-rated T20I bowlers of all time a list that includes legends like Umar Gul, Sunil Narine, Rashid Khan, and Shahid Afridi.

India’s Overall Rankings Boost

India’s success isn’t limited to spin bowling alone.

• Arshdeep Singh jumped four places to 16th among T20I bowlers after earning Player of the Match honors against South Africa.
  
  

• In batting rankings, Tilak Varma climbed to fourth, giving India two batters inside the top five, alongside Abhishek Sharma, who continues to hold the top spot.
  
  

• Among all-rounders, Shivam Dube made steady progress, rising two places to 16th.
  
  

These gains reflect India’s depth across departments as the World Cup approaches.

Positive Signs for the T20 World Cup Defence

With less than two months to go before India begin their quest for back-to-back T20 World Cup titles, Chakravarthy’s form could prove decisive. His ability to control the middle overs while picking up crucial wickets makes him a key asset in high-pressure matches.

The overall rise of Indian players across bowling, batting, and all-rounder rankings highlights a well-rounded squad entering the global tournament with confidence and momentum.

Global Rankings See Wider Changes

Beyond India, the updated ICC rankings also saw movements across formats. South Africa gained momentum with improvements from Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, and Ottneil Baartman, while Pakistan’s Saim Ayub retained his lead among T20I all-rounders. In Tests, notable gains were made by players like Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, and Mitchell Starc, reflecting strong performances in recent international fixtures.

Conclusion

Varun Chakravarthy’s rise to a career-best rating marks a defining moment in his international journey and sends a strong signal ahead of India’s T20 World Cup defence. With multiple players peaking at the right time, India appear well-positioned to challenge for yet another global title in the 20-over format.