DUBAI: Riding on the match-saving hundred against New Zealand in the second Test, Indian batsman VVS Laxman on Tuesday returned to the top-20 of the VVS Laxman celebrates after scoring a century against New Zealand.

In the rankings for Test bowlers, Indian pacer Ishant Sharma's 3-95 in the drawn match helped him leapfrog Jacques Kallis of South Africa, Pakistan's Danish Kaneria and England's Monty Panesar to a career-best 17th spot.

Indian opener Gautam Gambhir was the highest-ranked India batsman in fifth place and his knock of 137 in the second innings has not only strengthened his current position but has put him within striking distance of fourth-placed Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka.


The table is still headed by Shivnarine Chanderpaul of the West Indies who leads Pakistan captain Younis Khan by a very small margin while Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara is in third position.

Sri Lanka's iconic spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is the still the number-one ranked bowler with South Africa's Dale Steyn in second spot and Mitchell Johnson of Australia in third place.

In the ICC Test Championship table, India will retain its third position behind Australia and South Africa irrespective of how the Wellington Test pans out.
shim - Muralitharan, Chanderpaul top ICC Rankings