In a remarkable comeback story, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has stormed into the ICC Men’s T20I batting top 10 for the first time in over two years, following his Player of the Match performance against Pakistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. The latest rankings update, released on February 18, saw Kishan leap an incredible 17 places to secure the eighth position with 732 rating points .
The remarkable rise of Ishan Kishan in T20I rankings
Kishan’s journey back to the upper echelons of the batting charts reads like a fairytale. Ranked 78th at the time of his comeback to the T20I setup earlier this year, the left-hander has enjoyed a dizzying trajectory through the rankings. He zoomed to 32nd place by the time the T20 World Cup began, and rose to 25th across the first two games before his explosive knock against Pakistan catapulted him into the top 10 .
The 26-year-old’s resurgence marks his first appearance in the batting top 10 since his initial breakout years in international cricket, demonstrating his return to form at the perfect moment for the defending champions .
Kishan’s elevation in the rankings was powered by a breathtaking innings of 77 runs from just 40 deliveries against arch-rivals Pakistan in Colombo on February 15. His blistering knock, which earned him the Player of the Match award, laid the foundation for India’s commanding 61-run victory and helped the team maintain their perfect record in the tournament .
The innings showcased Kishan’s evolution as a batter, combining fearless strokeplay with responsible anchor role when the situation demanded. His ability to dominate a quality Pakistan bowling attack on a challenging surface caught the attention of cricketing pundits worldwide and now reflects in the updated rankings .
ICC T20I rankings: Four Indian batters in Top 10
Kishan’s entry into the elite club means India now boasts four batters in the ICC T20I top 10 rankings, underlining the team’s extraordinary batting depth ahead of the Super 8 stage .
At the summit, Abhishek Sharma continues to hold the No. 1 position with 891 rating points, despite modest returns in the World Cup so far, including two ducks. England’s Phil Salt follows in second place, while Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka jumped three places to third after his magnificent century against Australia .
India’s Tilak Varma holds steady at fourth position with 751 points, while captain Suryakumar Yadav occupies sixth place with 747 points. The quartet of Indian batters in the top 10 – Abhishek, Tilak, Suryakumar and now Kishan – presents a formidable challenge for opponents in the upcoming Super 8 matches against South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the West Indies.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton gained 22 spots to reach 11th, while Aiden Markram moved up six places to joint 15th. USA’s Saiteja Mukkamalla climbed 16 places to 21st, and England youngster Jacob Bethell jumped 22 slots to 32nd following their impressive contributions.
Tight battle in bowling and all-rounder charts
In the bowling rankings, India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy continues to lead the chart with 796 points, though Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan narrowed the gap by moving up one place to second. Zimbabwe’s Brad Evans made the most significant move, jumping 10 spots to fifth after consecutive three-wicket hauls that helped eliminate Australia .
India’s Axar Patel rose four places to 14th, while Jasprit Bumrah gained six spots to reach 15th, underlining the team’s balanced attack heading into the Super 8s .
The all-rounders’ battle remains intensely competitive, with Pakistan’s Saim Ayub reclaiming the top spot from Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza following his three-wicket haul against India. India’s Hardik Pandya holds firm at third position.
