Marco Jansen New World No. 1 Test Bowler and All-Rounder
South Africa’s left-arm pacer Marco Jansen is the new world No. 1 Test bowler and all-rounder, after the latest ICC rankings update on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Jansen jumped five places to claim the top spot among Test bowlers and rose one place to reach the summit of the Test all-rounders’ rankings.
End of Jadeja’s Four-Year Reign
Jansen’s rise ends Ravindra Jadeja’s remarkable four-year reign at the top of the ICC Test all-rounders’ rankings. The Indian star has slipped to second place in the all-rounders’ list, according to the latest update.
Australia’s Mitchell Starc is now the world No. 2 Test bowler. Starc took six South African wickets in the first innings of the ongoing third Test in Cape Town, a performance that kept him close to the top but not quite at the summit. His teammate Scott Boland has jumped three places to sixth in the bowlers’ rankings after taking six wickets in the first innings of the second Test in Gqeberha last week.
How Jansen Earned the Top Spot
Jansen’s climb reflects a sustained run of match-winning performances with both ball and bat for the Proteas. In the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha, Jansen and Kagiso Rabada left the visitors on the brink of defeat, underlining South Africa’s dominance in the series.
The 6-foot-8 left-armer has become one of world cricket’s most feared new-ball bowlers, combining steep bounce with late swing, while his lower-order batting has repeatedly rescued South Africa from difficult positions — the classic all-rounder’s double that the ICC rankings reward.
Abhishek Sharma Tops T20I Batting Charts
The rankings update also brought good news for India in the shortest format. Abhishek Sharma has moved to No. 1 among T20I batters after his record-breaking 113-run innings against New Zealand proved decisive in his climb. The young opener’s explosive batting has made him one of the most exciting names in world cricket.
What the Rankings Mean
The ICC Test rankings are updated weekly and are based on players’ performances over a rolling period, with recent matches carrying the most weight. Reaching No. 1 in both the bowling and all-rounding charts at the same time is a rare feat, putting Jansen in elite company among modern greats.
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With the South Africa-Australia series still in progress in Cape Town, Jansen will have a chance to strengthen his grip on the top spot when he bowls again in the third Test.
Source: ICC rankings via News18 / ABP Live, October 28, 2026