World T20: Virat Kohli topples Aaron Finch to become No. 1 T20 batsman

Indian batting star Virat Kohli, who single-handedly steered his side into the semifinals of the World Twenty20 after defeating Australia, has replaced Aaron Finch as the number one batsman in the latest ICC T20 rankings.

Kohli, who averages 92 after scoring 184 runs in four matches at a strike-rate of over 132, had entered the tournament 24 points behind Aaron Finch, but has now opened up a 68-point advantage over the Australian.

England's Joe Root has rocketed 38 places to career-high 11th after scoring168 runs in four matches at a strike-rate of 150. The Yorkshireman has gained 105 points in the tournament to date as he now has Zimbabwe's eighth-ranked Hamilton Masakadza firmly within his sights.

Martin Guptill is New Zealand's highest-ranked batsman after the opener has moved up two places to third following his contribution of 125 runs in three matches at a strike-rate of over 162.

West Indies' flamboyant Chris Gayle has gained one place and is now ranked sixth after scoring 104 runs in two innings at a stunning strike-rate of 208.

In the bowlers' table, West Indies' Samuel Badree has returned in number-one position. Badree has taken six wickets in four matches to date, while India's Ravichandaran Ashwin has dropped from number-one spot to third after managing just four wickets in as many matches.

Meanwhile, Number-one ranked India will go head to head with third-ranked West Indies in Mumbai on Thursday, while in the first semi-final in Delhi on Wednesday, second-ranked New Zealand will square-off against fifth-ranked England.

India has retained its pre-tournament ranking as well as points, while the West Indies has gained two points to move to 120. This means both the former champions, who each won three of their four second round matches, are now separated by seven points.

In contrast, New Zealand, which has been the only unbeaten side in the competition to date, has earned six points to rise to 122 and has consequently moved up two places to second. Its semi-final opponent and 2010 champion, England, has also collected three points and is now seven points behind on 115 after winning three of its four matches.

-ANI