Virat Kohli losing no.1 rank, update on Kohli's injury scare, and more - Cricket News of Today, 13th August 2018

#1 Virat Kohli loses No. 1 Test batting rank to Steve Smith (again)

Suffering from a smile

The toughest of fortunes have sided with Virat Kohli right now. Not only has his side lost a chance to claim the series, but in the meantime, the star Indian batsman will also have to deal with an injury care on his back.

Fresh tidings coming in, carry more sad news for the captain. Within a week of claiming the No. 1 Test batting ranking from Aussie former-captain Steven Smith, Kohli will now have to surrender it back, owing to a poor performance in the Lord's Test.

Virat failed to lift his team out of difficult situations in the Lord’s Test, playing knocks of 23 and 17 as his side fell like a pack of cards for 107 and 130 respectively. The Indian batting charts have affected the rankings of most other batsmen as well, as all of them spiralled downwards in positions. R. Ashwin, however, jumped to 57th spot from 67, due to his top-scoring efforts of 29 and 33 not out in either inning. He is also the new No. 3 all-rounder in rankings, taking the spot from Vernon Philander of South Africa.

Among England players, all of Broad, Woakes, Bairstow, Buttler, Curran and even debutant Ollie Pope have gained in various ranking charts. James Anderson meanwhile, extended his lead at the top of the bowling charts by 21 points, against South Africa's Kagiso Rabada.