New Delhi, Aug. 24: India opener Gautam Gambhir on Monday became the number one Test batsman again after Kumar Sangakkara and Michael Clarke slipped down the rankings ladder because of their none-too-impressive form in recent matches.

Gambhir, who was ranked third before the chart was updated, moved up two rungs after rankings topper Sangakkara failed to fire in the first Test against New Zealand at Galle.

Clarke could have benefitted from Sangakkara’s loss but the Australian vice-captain’s disappointing showing in the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval has opened the door for Gambhir, who returned to the number one spot. The Delhi opener became the top ranked batsman in July this year.

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'Tendulkar, Rahul can fill Viru’s void'

New Delhi: India off-spinner Harbhjan Singh on Monday said that despite the absence of Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan from next month’s tri-series in Sri Lanka, the side will go into the competition as firm favourites.

"Sehwag is a key player. Any team in the world would miss a player like him. But now that he is playing, we will have to do well without him," Harbhajan said here on Monday.

He said the return of veterans Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid would offset Sehwag’s absence.

"We are a strong team and it’s a balanced side. Besides, we have a number of match-winning players in the ranks.

"If we play to our potential, we will return with the trophy," he said.