Mitchell Starc Overtakes Jasprit Bumrah in ICC Test Rankings

Australia’s Mitchell Starc has returned to the top of the Test bowling rankings, moving ahead of India’s Jasprit Bumrah. Starc reached the No. 1 position after an excellent performance against Bangladesh in Mackay.

Starc played a major role in Australia’s victory in the second Test. He finished the match with impressive bowling figures of 6/12 and 4/39. His performance helped Australia defeat Bangladesh quickly and level the series after suffering an unexpected loss in the first Test in Darwin.

Australia’s defeat in Darwin was historic because it was the team’s first-ever home Test loss against Bangladesh. The Australian side responded strongly in the second match, with Starc leading the bowling attack.

Following his performance, Starc moved to the top of the Test bowling rankings with 872 rating points. Jasprit Bumrah dropped to second place. Bumrah had held the No. 1 position since February 2024 but missed India’s World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka.

New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry also moved down one position and is now ranked third. Australia’s captain Pat Cummins climbed to fourth, while South Africa’s Marco Jansen moved into fifth place.

Starc’s return to the top is another achievement in a long and successful international career. The left-arm fast bowler has been one of Australia’s most reliable bowlers for more than a decade. His ability to take wickets with both the new and old ball has made him an important part of the Australian team.

His recent performances have also helped his ranking. Starc played a strong role during the Ashes series against England, where he produced several important bowling performances. His consistency across different conditions has helped him remain among the world’s leading Test bowlers.

The latest rankings show how quickly positions can change when players perform well or miss important matches. Starc has taken advantage of his opportunities and returned to the top, while Bumrah’s absence has affected his ranking.

The competition at the top of the Test bowling rankings is expected to remain close. With several major Test matches ahead, Starc, Bumrah, Henry, Cummins, and Jansen will have opportunities to strengthen their positions.

For Starc, returning to No. 1 is a significant achievement and another highlight in his outstanding Test career. His performance against Bangladesh has once again shown why he remains one of the most dangerous fast bowlers in international cricket.