What Helped Virat Kohli Reclaim the No. 1 ODI Ranking After Four Years?

Due to his impressive performance, Virat Kohli has regained the number one position among ODI batters globally.

A fantastic performance has propelled ‘Chasemaster’ Virat Kohli to the number one position in the ICC ODI Rankings for batters. Kohli has moved ahead of teammate Rohit Sharma, who has dropped to third place. Daryl Mitchell from New Zealand has risen to the second position now.

When Did Virat Kohli Last Hold the No. 1 ODI Ranking?

Kohli has achieved the status of the world’s highest-ranked ODI batsman for the first time since July 2021. The Indian batting sensation’s latest performance has resulted in scores of 135, 102, and an unbeaten 65 in the three games of the South Africa ODI series last year. He then delivered an impressive 93 in the opening ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara on Sunday, leading to a four-wicket victory.

Kohli’s fruitful period started with consecutive ducks in Australia last October. He concluded the bilateral series on a high note with 74 not out in Sydney.

New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell has now outscored Sharma with his 84, heightening the rivalry among the top three batters, who are just 10 points apart.

ICC Rankings Shake-Up: Batters, Bowlers and All-Rounders on the Move

Additional significant adjustments in the ODI rankings feature K.L. Rahul rising one position to 11th, while Devon Conway advances three spots to 29th among batters. Mohammad Siraj has moved up five spots to 15th among bowlers, whereas Kyle Jamieson has climbed 27 spots to 69th

In the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings, Travis Head and Steve Smith have ascended to the third and fourth spots, respectively, after their centuries in the first innings of the last Ashes Test. Australia achieved a 4-1 win in Sydney. Joe Root of England, after hitting a century in Australia, stays in the lead, while Harry Brook retains the second spot. Jacob Bethell’s remarkable innings of 154 has raised him 25 spots to 52nd place.

Mitchell Starc’s 31 wickets in the Test bowling rankings have moved him from ninth to third position, while his batting displays have ranked him among the top five Test all-rounders. Scott Boland’s 20 wickets have allowed him to stay in seventh place. Michael Naser has entered the top 50 for the first time, while England’s Josh Tongue has moved up nine spots to reach a career-high 21st position after his six-wicket performance in the match.

Sri Lankan bowler Wanindu Hasaranga has climbed to second place in the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings following his five wickets in the series of three matches against Pakistan. Sahibzada Farhan and Salman Agha, the batters from Pakistan, have also seen advancements in their rankings, rising to fifth and 41st, respectively. Left-arm seamer Salman Mirza has moved up 16 positions to 19th after taking three wickets in the series.