Murali Vijay – the best Indian batsman in ICC rankings

Dubai: Riding on his good showing in India's win in the first Test against South Africa, opener Murali Vijay rose eight places to be the best-ranked Indian batsmen at number eleven in the ICC batting rankings that were topped by South Africa's AB de Villiers.

Vijay's 75 and 47 in the first and second innings respectively made his presence felt in the batting chart that has no Indians in the top-10.

Cheteshwar Pujara has gained five places following his contribution of 31 and 77 but he is two places behind Vijay in 13th spot. Test skipper Virat Kohli, who scored 1 and 29 in first and second innings respectively, dropped five places to be at 16th position.

Star Proteas batsman de Villers, who top-scored with a gutsy 63 in the first innings of the opening game that ended in under three days, displaced Australia's Steven Smith from the top spot with a single point separating the two batsmen.

In the bowling list, premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who returned with impressive match-figures of 8-90 in Mohali, jumped three places to be on fifth spot and be the only Indian bowler in the top-10.

Man of the Match at I.S.Bindra Stadium, Ravindra Jadeja, who bagged a fifer in the final innings to bundle the visitors for 109, gained 10 places to be on 21.

South African speedster Dale Steyn, who did not bowl in the second innings of the match due to a groin strain, maintained his position at the top.

In the all-rounders list Bangaldesh's Shakib Al Hasan retained the top position with Ashwin (2) and Vernon Philander (3) behind him.

India's position in the team chart has improved to four, while South Africa remained the top Test side of teh world.

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