Mitchell Starc Becomes No. 1 Test Bowler, Overtakes Jasprit Bumrah

By Thetripurapost Desk, Mumbai
Aug 27, 2026
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Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has claimed the No. 1 position in the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings for the first time in his career, ending Jasprit Bumrah’s latest spell at the top. Starc’s rise came after a sensational 10-wicket performance against Bangladesh in the second Test at Mackay. The ICC confirmed Starc’s promotion to the summit on August 26, 2026.

Starc moved up two places to reach a career-best 872 rating points, while Bumrah slipped to second with 862 points. New Zealand’s Matt Henry is also among the leading contenders at the top of the Test bowling rankings.

Starc’s 10-Wicket Haul Changes ICC Test Rankings

The 36-year-old left-arm pacer delivered a devastating performance in Mackay as Australia defeated Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs. Starc claimed 6 wickets for 12 runs in the first innings before taking another 4 wickets for 39 runs in the second innings, completing his fourth 10-wicket match haul in Test cricket.

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Bangladesh were dismissed for just 64 in their first innings and 95 in the second, allowing Australia to wrap up the Test in dominant fashion. Starc’s outstanding figures earned him Player of the Match recognition and proved decisive in Australia’s victory.

Jasprit Bumrah Drops to Second Position

Bumrah has now moved down to second place after spending a combined 697 days as the world's No. 1 Test bowler. His total reign has come across multiple periods rather than one uninterrupted stay at the summit.

The Indian speedster first reached the top of the Test bowling rankings in February 2024 following his impressive performance against England in Visakhapatnam. He became the first Indian fast bowler to achieve the No. 1 position in the format.

Bumrah also produced a remarkable nine-wicket performance in Melbourne against Australia in January 2025, taking his rating to 907 points, which became the highest rating recorded by an Indian bowler in the ICC Test rankings.

In June 2026, New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry briefly shared the top ranking with Bumrah after taking 11 wickets. Bumrah subsequently returned to sole possession of the No. 1 position before Starc’s latest surge.

Why Mitchell Starc Reached the Top

Starc’s promotion has been driven by both his recent performances and Bumrah’s absence from India’s ongoing World Test Championship campaign against Sri Lanka.

His Mackay performance produced a major boost in the latest rankings. The Australian pacer’s ability to strike repeatedly with the new ball and maintain pressure throughout Bangladesh’s innings proved crucial to Australia’s emphatic victory.

Starc has remained among the elite Test bowlers for much of his international career, but the latest rankings mark the first time he has occupied the No. 1 position.

Manav Suthar Makes Major Ranking Jump

India spinner Manav Suthar has also made significant progress in the latest Test bowling rankings. He climbed 28 places to reach 48th.

Suthar impressed on his Test debut against Afghanistan by taking seven wickets. He followed that performance with a 10-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in Galle and has continued to contribute with the ball in the second Test in Colombo.

Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon Gain Ground

Australia captain Pat Cummins has moved one place higher to fourth after taking six wickets in the second Test against Bangladesh.

Veteran spinner Nathan Lyon also gained two places and moved into 10th. Meanwhile, Scott Boland slipped one position to seventh.

England’s Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue have also climbed substantially following their combined 16-wicket performance in the Headingley Test against Pakistan. Robinson jumped 15 places to 11th, while Tongue advanced 16 positions to 17th.

Harry Brook Continues as No. 1 Test Batter

There has been no change among the leading four batters in the latest ICC Test rankings.

England’s Harry Brook remains No. 1, with Joe Root occupying second place. Australia’s Steve Smith is third, followed by Travis Head in fourth.

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has made one of the biggest moves among the top 10. His attacking half-century in the second innings of the Galle Test against Sri Lanka helped him climb six places to joint seventh.

Pant now shares seventh position with Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne.

KL Rahul, Cameron Green and Abdullah Shafique Also Rise

Several players outside the top 10 have recorded notable improvements.

Australia’s Cameron Green moved nine places to 21st, while Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva climbed two positions to joint 22nd. Pakistan’s Abdullah Shafique advanced seven places to joint 27th.

India batter KL Rahul also moved up five places to 30th.