Hardik Pandya reclaims the top spot in ICC T20I Rankings

To say it was a rollercoaster ride would be an understatement to describe how 2024 unfolded for Hardik Pandya. The year began with the stylish all-rounder at the center of massive scrutiny. Ahead of IPL 2024, Pandya decided to return to his original IPL franchise, this time as captain, replacing Mumbai's beloved Rohit Sharma. His decision left a sour taste in fans' minds, as it was seen as disloyalty to the Gujarat Titans and unfair to Rohit Sharma. The Mumbai captain was booed harshly on every ground that he played at during IPL 2024. Pandya endured it all, never saying anything, never expressing himself. The tables took a 180 degree turn, not even months from IPL 2024. The pace all-rounder played one of the most crucial roles in the historic win of India against South Africa in the T20 World Cup Final. The boos turned into cheers and apologies without Pandya saying a word, but his game talking like never before. Now, with an impressive run in the shortest format, Pandya has claimed the top-rank in the ICC rankings.

Hardik Pandya tops ICC Rankings as Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson take massive leaps

Hardik Pandya reclaimed the top position in the ICC Men's T20I Player Rankings for all-rounders on Wednesday. Following his spectacular performance in the T20I World Cup, Pandya kept up his form across the three-match series against Bangladesh and most recently, the South Africa tour. The 31-year-old’s 39* in the second match of the four-game series was crucial in stabilizing India’s innings. Moreover, his superb spell of 1/8 from three overs in the decisive fourth match played a key role in India’s 3-1 series victory against the Proteas. Now, as the ICC rankings reshuffled at the conclusion on the series, Pandya surged past England's Liam Livingstone and Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee to regain the top spot.

This marks the second time Pandya has held the No.1 rank for T20I all-rounders, having first ascended to the top following the ICC Men's T20 World Cup earlier this year. Pandya wasn’t the only Indian player to make significant moves in the latest rankings update. Tilak Varma, who was named Player of the Series, made a remarkable leap of 69 places in the T20I batting rankings. His impressive series haul of 280 runs, including two centuries, propelled him to third overall, placing him ahead of India captain Suryakumar Yadav, who dropped to fourth. The rise also moved Varma closer to the No.1 ranked batter, Travis Head.

Sanju Samson, who became the first Indian player to hit consecutive T20I centuries and smashed two tons on the South Africa tour, climbed 17 spots to 22nd in the T20I batter rankings. South Africa's Tristan Stubbs and Heinrich Klaasen also made notable improvements, with Stubbs rising three places to 23rd and Klaasen climbing six spots to a tie for 59th.