New Delhi: Riding on his fine performance in the ongoing Asia Cup in Karachi, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has jumped five places to fourth while Sachin Tendulkar is just a rung below the top of the one-day batting charts of International Cricket Council (ICC).

Dhoni has not been dismissed so far in the Asia Cup having scored 135 runs in two unbeaten innings. This effort has put him at par with Australian skipper Ricky Ponting and his teammate David Hussey.

Tendulkar gained one spot and is behind South African skipper Graeme Smith, who is leading the pack with 792 points, 34 points above the Indian batting maestro.

Former number one Hussey with his crucial innings in Friday's one-dayer against the West Indies in Grenada arrested his decline, gaining three places to contend with the joint-fourth position with Ponting and Dhoni.

Ponting, on the other hand, has dropped from second position after failing to make an impression with the bat against the West Indies.

Pakistan's Mohammad Yusuf one moved one spot up to third place.

In the bowling rankings, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori still rules the roost with Australian Nathan Bracken and Shane Bond in tow.

Among all-rounders, Pakistan's captain Shoaib Malik pipped compatriot Shahid Afridi to top the category. Malik's unbeaten 125 against India in Asia Cup helped his cause.

Afridi slipped to second spot with New Zealand's Jacob Oram up two places at third place.

Australia continues to be the top ranked team with South Africa and New Zealand in the second and the third place respectively. India, just one point behind the Kiwis is fourth.

But with the Asia Cup still going on, India can climb to third place if it wins the next two matches, against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, even if New Zealand overcomes the challenge of Ireland in Aberdeen Tuesday.

 

Source : IANS