Mitchell Starc has replaced Jasprit Bumrah as the ICC Men's Test Bowling No. 1 [1, 2].
The shift in rankings marks a significant change in the global pace bowling hierarchy, as Starc reaches the top spot for the first time in his career [1, 3].
Starc's ascent follows a dominant performance during the ICC World Test Championship series against Bangladesh [5]. In the second match of the series, played at the MacKay venue, Starc recorded a 10-wicket haul [1, 5]. This performance provided the necessary boost in ranking points to overtake the Indian fast bowler [1, 5].
Jasprit Bumrah, who previously held the top position, has now been dethroned from the No. 1 spot [2, 4]. The official ranking change was announced Aug. 26, 2026 [1].
Starc has been a mainstay of the Australian attack for years, but this milestone represents a career peak in the official ICC standings [1, 3]. The move reflects the immediate impact of high-volume wicket takes in the Test format, where single-match performances can cause rapid shifts in the leaderboard [1, 5].
“Mitchell Starc has replaced Jasprit Bumrah as the ICC Men's Test Bowling No. 1”
The ranking shift highlights the volatility of the ICC points system, where a single 10-wicket haul can displace a long-term leader. For Australia, Starc's rise reinforces their bowling depth heading into the later stages of the World Test Championship, while India loses its hold on the top-ranked individual bowling spot.
