Virat Kohli has reclaimed the number one spot in the ICC men’s ODI batting rankings, returning to the summit for the first time since July 2021 and extending his status as one of the most consistent batters of the modern era.
The India star has now held the top ranking on 11 separate occasions, having first reached number one in 2013. By returning to the summit, Kohli also set a new personal milestone, adding to a list of records that continues to grow with almost every series he plays.
Kohli’s rise comes on the back of a strong run of form in the 50-over format. He narrowly missed out on a century in the first ODI against New Zealand, scoring 93, but that innings still carried historic significance. It took him beyond 28,000 international runs, making him the second-highest run-scorer in the history of the game, behind only Sachin Tendulkar.
In recent months, Kohli has delivered a series of telling contributions. He scored 74 against Australia in Sydney before producing scores of 135, 102 and 65 against South Africa. That consistency has been rewarded in the latest rankings update, with Kohli moving back ahead of his international peers.
This is the first time in nearly three years that Kohli has topped the ODI rankings. In total, he has now spent 825 days at number one, placing him tenth on the all-time list for time spent at the summit, and making him the most successful Indian batter in that regard.
Kohli’s return to the top has pushed team-mate Rohit Sharma down the order. Rohit slipped two places to third, while New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell climbed to second, just one rating point behind Kohli. Rohit now trails the India number three by 10 points.
Elsewhere in the ICC rankings, Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan continues to lead the ODI bowling chart. In the T20 rankings, Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza moved to the top of the all-rounders list, overtaking Pakistan’s Saim Ayub.
For Kohli, the ranking is another marker of his enduring influence in international cricket. With more fixtures ahead and form firmly on his side, the Indian batter appears well placed to remain at the centre of the global game.
