DUBAI: Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has inched closer to ODI number-one Rohit Sharma following the latest update in the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings.
Kohli delivered a stunning 135 off 120 balls in the opening ODI against South Africa, marking his 83rd international century. This performance elevated him to fourth on the ODI batting chart with 751 rating points, just 32 behind leader Rohit Sharma.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell remains steady at second with 766 points, while Afghanistan’s emerging star Ibrahim Zadran sits third with 764 points. These movements reflect the ongoing competition at the top of the ODI batting chart.
Kohli, once the undisputed No. 1 ODI batter for more than 3 years, has not reclaimed the top spot since April 2021, when Babar Azam surpassed him. Meanwhile, India’s young captain Shubman Gill, currently recovering from injury, has slipped to fifth place.
Shifting focus to the bowling department, India’s crafty left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav has broken into the top six after moving up one place in the ICC Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings.
South African players made notable gains after their 2-0 Test series win over India. Marco Jansen, a left-arm quick, jumped five spots to fifth among Test bowlers and secured a career-best second in the Test all-rounders’ list.
Simon Harmer, Player of the Series, climbed 13 ranks to 11th in the Test bowling standings after taking 17 wickets in two matches.
Several South African batters improved their positions as well:
- Kyle Verreynne moved up three spots to 38th
- Ryan Rickelton advanced five positions to 39th
- Tristan Stubbs jumped 16 places to 47th in the Test batting rankings.
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