Johannesburg – AB de Villiers became the third South African to top both the ICC Test and ODI batting rankings in the latest list released on Thursday.
De Villiers passed India's Virat Kholi to move to number one on the ODI rankings, after scoring 189 runs at an average of 63 in the three-match ODI series against India.
He currently occupies the number one position on the Test rankings, ahead of team mate Hashim Amla, who is second.
“It's a honour to top the ODI and Test rankings,” De Villiers said of the feat, which matches the achievements of team mates Jacques Kallis and Amla.
“I've been able to put in some consistent performances for the Proteas in both formats, and that has definitely been underpinned by an all-round team performance.”
De Villiers also praised 20-year-old Quinton de Kock, who has moved up 61 places to 14th after scoring 342 runs including three consecutive centuries.
“Quinton has grown in leaps and bounds since he made his debut,” he said.
“He has impressed me with the maturity and confidence with which he has gone about building all three of his hundreds. Long may his run-scoring spree continue.”
Several other players have soared up the ODI rankings, despite the Proteas remaining in fifth position on the team rankings after their 2-0 victory over India.
Three members of the Proteas' brutal pace attack feature in the top 10. Dale Steyn, the number one Test bowler, has moved up three places into second, with Lonwabo Tsotsobe eighth and Morne Morkel ninth.
Ryan McLaren has entered the top 20 of the bowling ranking for the first time. – Sapa