Australia’s Mitchell Starc has claimed the top spot in the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings for the first time in his career, dethroning India’s Jasprit Bumrah following a historic performance against Bangladesh.
The updated standings, released Wednesday, show Starc sitting on 872 rating points. Bumrah slips to second with 862 points, while New Zealand’s Matt Henry rounds out the top three on 861.
The 36-year-old left-armer’s ascent was fueled by a sensational showing in the second Test against Bangladesh at Mackay. Starc tore through the visitors with figures of 6-12 in the first innings and 4-39 in the second, finishing with match figures of 10-51 to guide Australia to an innings-and-51-run victory that squared the two-match series 1-1.
His opening spell was particularly devastating; Starc captured five wickets in a mere 22 balls as Bangladesh crumbled to 64 all out. The performance earned him Player of the Series honours and provided the decisive ratings surge that lifted him from third place to the summit.
The shift ends a remarkable reign for Bumrah, who first reached world number one in February 2024 and held the position for the better part of two years. His absence from India’s ongoing World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka, coupled with Starc’s exploits in Mackay, precipitated the reshuffle. The Indian spearhead’s next opportunity to reclaim the top ranking will arrive during next year’s tour of Australia.
Starc’s milestone adds another chapter to an extraordinary Test career. The 10-wicket haul propelled him into 10th place on the all-time Test wicket-takers list with 445 dismissals. As Australia targets a place in the 2027 World Test Championship final, the veteran quick remains a linchpin of their bowling attack.
