VVS Laxman returned to the top 20 of the ICC [Images] Rankings for the first time in three years after his scintillating performance against Pakistan in the first Test in Delhi.

Laxman, who scored an unbeaten 72 in India's 276, has climbed two places to 20th in the rankings for Test batsmen. He returns to top 20 for the first time since October 2004 when he was there during the series against Australia.

The 33-year-old now has South Africa captain Graeme Smith [Images] in 19th spot in his sights. If the Hyderabad batsman carries his good form into the next two Tests, he has every chance of overtaking the Proteas' skipper.

Indian captain Anil Kumble [Images] is also reaping the rewards for bowling his team to a six-wicket victory that gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series.

Kumble, who won the man of the match award for his 7-106, has risen two places to fifth in the rankings for bowlers. Wasim Jaffer and vice-captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni [Images] are also on the rise in the list.

Jaffer, who scored 32 and 53, jumped two places to 40th, while Dhoni also improved his ranking by two places to 41st after scoring 57.

For Pakistan, the only consolation from the Delhi Test defeat was Misbah-ul-Haq's jump from 88th position to 66th spot. Haq stood tall in an otherwise ordinary batting display by the tourists, scoring 82 and 45 in his two innings.

Kamran Akmal fell four places to 34th and captain Shoaib Malik [Images] slipped six places to 51st position.

Shoaib Akhtar [Images], who had match figures of 6-102 in what was his first Test in 11 months, strengthened his position in the top-10 bowlers list by rising two places to eighth.