India's captain moved three spots up and behind Ricky Ponting and Jacques Kallis in the latest rankings for Test batsmen.
South Africa beat Pakistan in the third Test to win the series 2-1.
South Africa were 131 for 5 at the close on Day 1 of the third Test, after dismissing Pakistan for 157.
At tea South Africa were 277 for six, a lead of 136. Pakistan were dismissed for 265 in reply to South Africa's first innings of 124.
Rahul Dravid would regain the top spot in ICC rankings for Test batsmen with a successful Pakistan series.
South Africa were 115 for three in their second innings at the close of the second day of the second Test.
The left-hander achieved a best-ever ranking following his century in South Africa's seven-wicket victory over Pakistan.
Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis steered South Africa to a comfortable seven-wicket win in the first Test.
Pakistan's Mohammad Asif took five wickets to lessen the impact of Ashwell Prince's century for South Africa on the third day of the first Test on Saturday.
South Africa ended Day 3 on 373 all out, 41 runs behind India on the first innings, in the third Test.
The hosts have suffered a body blow with Jacques Kallis pulling out of the squad because of a back strain.
Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum is returning to Kolkata Knight Riders but this time in a coaching role after being signed by the IPL side as the assistant coach.
Lee was reported by the umpires for a level one offence relating to 'showing dissent at an umpire's decision by action or verbal abuse'.
The South Africa all-rounder has been ruled out of the second Test against Australia after failing a fitness test on Christmas Day.
Jacques Rudolph's unbeaten innings of 104 helped South Africa to draw the first Test against Australia
The South African all-rounder is doubtful for Friday's Test because of a painful elbow.
The South Africa vice-captain said winning the toss would be important given the dew factor in Saturday's day-night second ODI.
The South African all rounder became the first player to score 8,000 runs and take 200 wickets in both Test and one-day cricket.
The prolific batsman was named along with Herschelle Gibbs, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini and a provincial player, Alan Dawson.
The South-African all-rounder was named the joint ICC player of the year and Test player of the year
Chris Gayle will replace Shahid Afridi in the ICC World XI line-up for the second Super series ODI
Abraham de Villiers and Jacques Kallis scored centuries as South Africa amassed 494 for 7, a lead of 418, against India on Day 2 of the second Test. The 24-year-old De Villiers was unbeaten on a fluent 217, while Kallis scored 132, posing his 30th Test century in the process.
Dale Steyn took five wickets and Jacques Kallis hit an unbeaten half-century as South Africa took a firm grip on the second Test against India on Day One, at the Sardar Patel stadium in Ahmedabad, on Thursday. Led by Steyn's magnificent spell of 5 for 23, South Africa dismissed India for a paltry 76 in the morning session and then made a strong reply, thanks to a solid 60 by Kallis that saw them end the day on a healthy 223 for 4.
They have been badly handicapped by injuries to their captain Graeme Smith and all rounder Jacques Kallis.
His 146 against the West Indies in the drawn second Test lifted him above Pakistan's Inazamam-ul Haq and South Africa's Jacques Kallis.
Jacques Kallis scored an unbeaten 121 as South Africa beat the West Indies by seven wickets with eight balls and take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Jacques Kallis may miss South Africa's tour of Sri Lanka in July as he will undergo elbow surgery next week
A blistering century against Pakistan in the first Test in Barbados has propelled Brian Lara to the top of the ICC Test batting rankings.
The all-rounder was the obvious choice after an outstanding 12 months during which England beat Australia to win the Ashes.
South Africa were 155 for two in reply to New Zealand's first innings of 593 for eight declared when bad light ended play in the 12th over after tea.
While Kallis was left holding the fort for his teammates after he chose not to attend the British musician's show.
South Africa were 280 for 9, a lead of 229, after earlier struggling at 73-4, on day 3 in the first Test against New Zealand.
South Africa's leading Test wicket-taker with 389 wickets reaches the 100 Tests milestone along with team mate Jacques Kallis against New Zealand on Saturday.
"To play 100 tests is something special and I'll take a quiet moment to look back on the last 10 years," said Pollock.
Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis shared an unbroken century stand to put South Africa in control of the first Test with a lead of 287 runs against New Zealand on Friday. South Africa reached close of play on the second day on 179-2. Amla, who was dropped on two, was 85 not out with Kallis on 76 in a partnership of 159.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances