Virat Kohli has reclaimed his spot at the head of the Test batting rankings ©Getty Images

Virat Kohli has returned to the top of the International Cricket Council's Test batting rankings after losing the position earlier this month to banned Australian Steve Smith.

The Indian made superb scores of 97 and 103 as his side beat hosts England by 203 runs in the third Test of their current tour in Nottingham.

Kohli's exploits at Trent Bridge gave India a chance of winning the five-match series as they now trail England 2-1.

It also corrected an anomaly in the rankings system which saw Smith replace the Indian captain at the top while serving a year's suspension for his role in the country's ball-tampering scandal.

Kohli slipped back to second after a modest performance during his side's defeat to England in the second Test at Lord's.

Steve Smith had returned to the top of the rankings despite being suspended ©Getty Images
Steve Smith had returned to the top of the rankings despite being suspended ©Getty Images

But he is now on top again with 937 points, compared to Smith's 929.

His tally is the highest he has ever reached and he is now only one place behind the all-time top 10 highest scores, led by legendary Australian Don Bradman on 961.

Kane Williamson of New Zealand is third on the batting charts on 847.

England's paceman James Anderson heads the Test bowling rankings on 899 points after four wickets at Trent Bridge.

Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan is rated as the best all-rounder on 420.