Virat Kohli brilliant century in the first ODI against South Africa has given him a strong push in the latest ICC ODI batting rankings. Kohli scored a match-winning 135 off 120 balls in Ranchi, and that innings has taken him one step closer to becoming the world’s No.1 ODI batter again.
In the new update released by ICC, Virat Kohli has moved up one spot to No.4, gaining crucial rating points. He now stands at 751 points, only 32 points behind Rohit Sharma, who continues to sit at the top. With two more matches still left in the series, the “King” now has a real chance to challenge Rohit Sharma dominance.
Rohit Sharma Still No.1… But for How Long?
Rohit Sharma remains the No.1 ODI batter with 783 points, but Virat’s rapid rise has made the contest for the top spot extremely exciting. If Kohli plays another big knock, the top position may soon change hands.
Between Rohit and Kohli, only two players stand –
- Daryl Mitchell (NZ) at No.2
- Ibrahim Zadran (AFG) at No.3
Both have been consistent, but their lead is now under pressure after Kohli recent form.
Shubman Gill has dropped one position and is now at No.5, while Shreyas Iyer remains in the Top 10 at No.9. That means four Indian batters are currently in the ODI top 10 the highest for any team.
Updated ICC ODI Batting Rankings (Top 10)
| Rank | Player | Country | Rating Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rohit Sharma | India | 783 |
| 2 | Daryl Mitchell | New Zealand | 766 |
| 3 | Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan | 764 |
| 4 | Virat Kohli | India | 751 |
| 5 | Shubman Gill | India | 738 |
| 6 | Babar Azam | Pakistan | 722 |
| 7 | Harry Tector | Ireland | 708 |
| 8 | Shai Hope | West Indies | 701 |
| 9 | Shreyas Iyer | India | 693 |
| 10 | Charith Asalanka | Sri Lanka | 690 |
Also see: IND vs SA: Harshit Rana Punished by ICC Before 2nd ODI
Kuldeep Yadav Also Moves Up in Bowling Rankings
It’s not just the batters Kuldeep Yadav has also gained one spot in the ODI bowlers list. He is now ranked No.6, thanks to his consistent wicket-taking ability.
Mitchell Santner has slipped to No.7, but the top three bowlers remain the same:
- Rashid Khan (No.1)
- Jofra Archer (No.2)
- Keshav Maharaj (No.3)
Virat Kohli hasn’t been the world’s No.1 ODI batter since April 2021, when Babar Azam overtook him. But now, with renewed focus on ODIs after retiring from T20 and Tests, Kohli seems determined to reclaim his crown.
If he scores well in the remaining matches of the IND vs SA series, cricket fans may soon see a familiar sight: Virat Kohli – World No.1 ODI Batter
The latest ICC rankings have set the stage for an exciting leader-board battle between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. With only a 32-point gap, another big knock from Kohli could completely change the ODI batting order.
