In a recent update to the ICC Rankings, Indian cricket maintains its lead in the ODI batting standings, with Rohit Sharma securely holding the world No.1 spot, while Virat Kohli has jumped two positions to regain the No.2 ranking. The two giants of Indian cricket have shown outstanding performance in recent series, narrowing the difference between them to merely eight rating points.
ICC Ranking Update: Indian Batters Shine at the Top
The most recent ICC ODI Rankings showcase India’s dominance in limited-overs cricket.
- Rohit Sharma: Stays the top ODI batsman globally.
- Virat Kohli: Moves up two positions to claim No.2, significantly reducing the gap with Rohit.
- KL Rahul: Advances from 14th to 12th following steady performances.
- Shubman Gill: Remains firmly at No. 5, even after being sidelined from the South Africa series because of an injury.
- Shreyas Iyer: Falls out of the top 10 and currently occupies the 11th position as he continues to recover from his injury
Rohit Sharma’s Stellar Comeback Reflects in ICC Ranking
In the midst of extensive debates surrounding the futures of senior batters in India, Rohit Sharma has quelled skeptics with exceptional consistency.
- Upon his return to international play in Australia, Rohit showcased a Player-of-the-Series performance, notching 202 runs in three ODIs with an astonishing average of 101.
- He maintained his form against South Africa at home, where he contributed 146 runs to his total, strengthening his grip on the top position.
Rohit’s performance has been a crucial factor in India’s consistency at the top of the ODI rankings.
Virat Kohli’s Remarkable Rise: From Early Stumbles to Dominance
Virat Kohli, recognized as one of India’s greatest ODI batsmen, showcased his exceptional talent once more.
Despite starting the Australia tour with consecutive ducks, he bounced back remarkably with a vital not out 74 to conclude the series.
His genius shone most brightly during the South Africa ODI matches, where he achieved:
- Sequential centuries,
- A flawless fifty in the final match,
- An astonishing 302 runs with an average of 151,
- And the Series-MVP award.
These displays pushed Kohli to No.2, narrowing the gap with Rohit as the competition for the top position heats up before India’s upcoming ODI series against New Zealand in January. Kohli last maintained the No.1 position in 2021, and his current form indicates another vigorous attempt.
ICC Ranking Boost for Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav Breaks Into Top Three
India’s gains were not limited to the batting charts.Kuldeep Yadav made one of the biggest moves in the ODI bowling rankings:
- Climbs three spots to become the world No.3 ODI bowler.
- Now ranks only behind Rashid Khan and Jofra Archer.
- His ascent follows taking 9 wickets against South Africa at an impressive average of 20.78.
Kuldeep’s contribution was crucial in India’s 2–1 series win, confirming his status among the elite globally.
What’s Next in the ICC Ranking Race?
With India set to host New Zealand in January, the global cricket fraternity will closely watch whether Kohli can continue his red-hot streak and challenge Rohit for the No.1 ODI batter position.
For now, India celebrates a rare achievement—its two most iconic modern-era batters ruling the top two spots in the ICC Ranking, backed by strong support from rising and returning talents.