Virat Kohli dethroned from the top spot in the latest ICC Test rankings

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Indian skipper Virat Kohli has been removed from the top spot in the latest ICC Test batsmen Rankings by Australian Steve Smith. The Aussie missed the third Ashes Test at Headingley, and leads the chart in the new rankings announced on Tuesday. The 32-year-old now has a chance to extend to guarantee that lead in the fourth Test, starting Wednesday at the Old Trafford in Manchester.

On the other hand, India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane returned to the top-10, climbing four places up to 7th spot, after his half-century and hundred in Antigua with another half-century in Jamaica. His compatriot Indian Hanuma Vihari, the top scorer of the two-match series against the West Indies, has gone 40 places up and is now on 30th spot after just six Tests. Kohli, who played a vital 76 in the first innings of the second Test, got dismissed by Kemar Roach in the second innings for a golden duck finally lost his place after a long while at the top.

Virat Kohli overtook Smith on the charts after August 2018, when the former Australian skipper was serving a ban for his role in the ball-tampering scandal. The Australian right hander has since fought his way back up in the list in his first series after the ban, scoring two centuries in the first Test against England and crucial 92 in the second.

However, Kohli has a chance to overtake Smith in the home Test series against South Africa, starting on October 2 in Visakhapatnam.