ICC ODI Rankings: Virat Kohli Climbs to No. 2, Inches Closer to Rohit Sharma for Top Spot
India’s cricket icon Virat Kohli has moved one step closer to reclaiming the No. 1 position in the ICC ODI batting rankings. According to the latest list issued on Wednesday, Kohli has climbed to the second spot, reducing the gap with top-ranked Rohit Sharma to just eight rating points.
Kohli, who has an extraordinary 53 ODI centuries to his name, last held the No. 1 ODI ranking in April 2021 before being displaced by Pakistan’s Babar Azam. With his recent form, especially during the three-match ODI series against South Africa, the veteran batter has reignited his pursuit of the top position. Kohli amassed 302 runs in the series, including a match-winning unbeaten 65 in the final ODI at Visakhapatnam. Meanwhile, Rohit scored 146 runs in the same series, managing to hold on to his No. 1 position but now faces pressure from his longtime teammate.
Shubman Gill retained his No. 5 ranking despite missing the ODI series due to injury. Stand-in captain KL Rahul made notable gains, rising two places to reach 12th position after a consistent run with the bat.
South African players also made significant upward movements. Quinton de Kock climbed three spots to 13th, Aiden Markram moved up four places to 25th, and captain Temba Bavuma gained three spots to 37th following solid performances against India.
In the T20I rankings, Indian bowlers delivered notable progress after their dominant 101-run win in Cuttack. Axar Patel climbed to 13th, Arshdeep Singh rose to 20th, and Jasprit Bumrah jumped six places to 25th.
In the Test rankings, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal continued as India’s highest-ranked batter at No. 8. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant advanced one spot each, securing 11th and 13th positions respectively.
With the ODI World Cup cycle approaching, India’s batting strength appears stronger than ever, led by a rejuvenated Virat Kohli and a consistent Rohit Sharma.
Our Thoughts
Virat Kohli’s rise to the second spot in the ICC ODI rankings is a clear indication of his strong return to rhythm and consistency. His performance against South Africa showcased not just excellence but also intent, proving that his hunger for runs and leadership remains intact. The narrowing gap between him and Rohit Sharma sets up an exciting contest within the Indian team, reflecting healthy competition that ultimately benefits the side. The positive movement of other Indian players across formats also highlights the depth and balance of the squad. As the ODI cycle moves towards major global tournaments, India’s batting core—powered by Kohli, Rohit, Gill and Rahul—looks increasingly formidable. The team's strong rankings across formats also demonstrate how well-rounded India's talent pool has become, especially with bowlers like Axar, Arshdeep, and Bumrah making rapid strides. Overall, the latest rankings reaffirm India’s growing dominance in world cricket.