Virat Kohli’s remarkable resurgence in One Day Internationals has seen him reclaim the top spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings, ending a wait of nearly four years. The former India captain returned to No.1 for the first time since July 2021, replacing teammate Rohit Sharma, following another masterclass with the bat against New Zealand.
Kohli’s return to the summit was powered by a fluent 93 off 91 balls in the opening ODI of the three-match series against New Zealand in Vadodara on Sunday, an innings that laid the foundation for India’s convincing victory. The knock underlined his supreme consistency in the format and capped a stunning run of form that has re-established him as the most reliable ODI batter in world cricket.
A Record-Laden Return to the Top
This marks the 11th time in Kohli’s illustrious career that he has topped the ICC ODI batting rankings. He first reached the pinnacle in October 2013 and has now spent a cumulative 825 days at No.1, the most by any Indian batter in history. On the all-time list, Kohli currently sits 10th, with West Indies legend Sir Viv Richards holding the record for the longest reign at the top with 2,306 days.
Kohli’s climb back to the summit follows a period of extraordinary consistency after a brief dip in form. Following consecutive ducks against Australia in October last year—his first international appearances since the Champions Trophy—Kohli responded emphatically with a composed 74 in Sydney, helping India end the ODI leg on a positive note.
Red-Hot Form Across Series
The star batter carried that momentum into the home season, delivering a string of commanding performances against South Africa in November–December. Kohli registered scores of 135, 102 and an unbeaten 65, once again showcasing his unmatched ability to dominate bowling attacks across conditions.
His sustained excellence has now pushed him back to the top of the rankings, reaffirming his status as one of the greatest ODI batters the game has ever seen.
Close Competition at the Top
Kohli, however, faces stiff competition in retaining the No.1 spot over the remaining matches of the New Zealand series. Kiwi batter Daryl Mitchell is just one rating point behind, after his aggressive 84 in the series opener, which helped him leapfrog Rohit Sharma into second place. Rohit now occupies the third position, trailing Kohli by 10 points.
Other Key Movements in ODI Rankings
Several other players also made notable gains in the latest ODI rankings update:
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K.L. Rahul climbed one spot to 11th among batters
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Devon Conway jumped three places to 29th
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Among bowlers, Mohammad Siraj rose five spots to 15th
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Kyle Jamieson registered a massive jump of 27 places to 69th
Test Rankings See Ashes Impact
In the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings, Australia’s strong finish to the Ashes series resulted in significant changes. Centuries in the final Test propelled Travis Head and Steve Smith to the third and fourth positions respectively after Australia sealed a 4–1 series victory with a five-wicket win in Sydney.
England’s Joe Root, who scored his second century of the series and finished as the visitors’ leading run-scorer, strengthened his hold at the top of the Test batting rankings, while Harry Brook retained the second spot.
Among bowlers, Australia pacer Mitchell Starc surged from ninth to third after being named Player of the Series for his outstanding 31-wicket haul during the Ashes.
Kohli’s Legacy Continues to Grow
Virat Kohli’s return to the No.1 ODI ranking is not just a statistical milestone but a testament to his resilience, adaptability and hunger for excellence. As India continues its ODI campaign, all eyes will be on Kohli to see whether he can extend his reign at the top and add yet another chapter to his already legendary career.
