Joe Root Reclaims World No. 1 Test Batting Ranking After Lord's Heroics
England's prolific batsman Joe Root has once again ascended to the pinnacle of the ICC Men's Test Batting Rankings, reclaiming the coveted No. 1 spot. This significant achievement, confirmed in the latest rankings update on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, follows his stellar performance in the third Test of the five-match ICC World Test Championship (WTC) series against India at Lord's.
Root's scores of 104 and a crucial 40 in the Lord's Test played a pivotal role in England's narrow 22-run victory over India, giving the home side a 2-1 lead in the series. These contributions saw him displace his fellow Yorkshireman and teammate, Harry Brook, who had briefly held the top position just a week prior. Brook has now slipped to third place, with New Zealand's Kane Williamson moving into second.
This marks Root's eighth stint at the top of the Test batting rankings, a testament to his consistent excellence and enduring form. At 34 years old, he is also the oldest player to hold the No. 1 Test batting spot since Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara achieved the feat at 37 in December 2014.
Beyond his individual ranking, Root's century at Lord's was a milestone in itself. It was his 37th Test century, placing him fifth on the all-time list of most centuries in the format, surpassing legendary names like Rahul Dravid. He also became only the fourth batter in Test history to cross 8,000 runs while batting exclusively at No. 4, joining an elite group that includes Sachin Tendulkar, Mahela Jayawardene, and Jacques Kallis.
Other notable movements in the latest rankings include India's captain Shubman Gill slipping three places to ninth, while Australian all-rounder Cameron Green jumped 16 places to joint-29th. In the bowling rankings, India's Jasprit Bumrah continues to hold the No. 1 spot.
Root's return to the top is a significant boost for England and underscores his continued importance as a leading figure in Test cricket.
