He is on the verge of becoming the highest run-accumulator in Test cricket, but Sachin Tendulkar [Images] continues to fall in the ICC [Images] rankings for batsmen, dropping a spot to 24th in the latest list released on Tuesday.

Tendulkar is just 15 runs shy of breaking West Indian legend Brian Lara's [Images] record of amassing the most Test runs.

Meanwhile, VVS Laxman (14th) was the lone Indian batsman to move up the ladder in the ICC rankings, which also saw Virender Sehwag [Images] (11th) and Rahul Dravid [Images] (18th) drop down.

•  Brian Lara applauds Tendulkar

Australia's [Images] Michael Hussey has returned to the top of the rankings after he scored 177 runs in the drawn Bangalore Test against India, including a 146-run knock in the first innings.

Hussey was placed third before this match, just behind Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka [Images] and the ICC Cricketer of the Year 2008 Shivnarine Chanderpaul [Images] of the West Indies [Images].

• Tendulkar No 1 in Warne's Test best

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting [Images] stays in fourth spot in the rankings despite scoring his maiden Test century in India.

Australian opener Matthew Hayden [Images], has however, slipped two places. Hayden now lies in ninth spot with Aussie vice-captain Michael Clarke [Images] further back in 15th position.

In the bowling charts, Bangalore Test's man of the match Zaheer Khan [Images] gained seven places and now sits 11th spot in the rankings.

• 'We will make life difficult for Tendulkar'

Indian skipper Anil Kumble [Images], nursing a shoulder injury, was not so fortunate as he lost eight places, plummeting from 10th position to 18th. The India captain bowled 51 overs in the match without picking up a wicket.

India pacer Ishant Sharma gained a place to be 40th. Among the all-rounders, Brett Lee [Images] has moved up one place to seventh.