For the first time since July 2021, Virat Kohli is back at the top of the ICC batting rankings because to his incredible ODI cricket campaign. In order to retake the throne, Kohli replaced colleague Rohit Sharma after scoring a brilliant 93 off 91 balls to help India defeat New Zealand in the first game of the three-ODI series in Vadodara. After an incredible run in the format, Kohli has now topped the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings eleven times in his record-breaking career. In his first international games since the Champions Trophy, Kohli suffered successive ducks against Australia in October of last year. However, he recovered with a smooth 74 to help India finish the ODI series with a consolation victory in Sydney.
After returning home, he scored 135, 102, and an undefeated 65 in the November–December series against South Africa. After reaching the top of the ODI rankings for the first time in October 2013, the former captain of India has now held the position for the longest period of time—825 days—of any Indian batter. He is presently ranked 10th on the all-time list, with West Indies legend Viv Richards holding the top spot for an incredible 2,306 days. However, with New Zealand batsman Daryl Mitchell only one rating point behind him, Kohli will have a difficult time holding onto the top rank over the final two games of the series.
Rohit Sharma, the former captain of India, is currently in third place, ten points behind Kohli, after Mitchell’s scorching 84 in the series opener against India propelled him to second place. Devon Conway moved up three ranks to 29th among batters, while K.L. Rahul moved up one spot to 11th in the ODI rankings. Among bowlers, Kyle Jamieson made a notable leap of 27 spots to 69th, while Mohammad Siraj climbed five spots to 15th. Following their hundreds in the last Ashes Test match, which Australia won by five wickets in Sydney to seal a 4-1 triumph, Travis Head and Steve Smith climbed to third and fourth place in the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings, respectively.
Joe Root of England solidified his place at the top of the rankings after scoring his second century in the series and finishing as the visitors’ highest run scorer. Harry Brook is still in second place. Mitchell Starc, who took 31 wickets during the Ashes campaign and won Player of the Series, moved up from ninth to third among bowlers.
