Virat Kohli has once again ascended to the top of the ICC ODI rankings, reclaiming the No. 1 spot for the first time since July 2021. The 37-year-old had to displace his teammate Rohit Sharma, who now sits at No. 3 in the latest rankings announced on Wednesday. New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell has moved up to No. 2 after a stellar innings against India in Vadodara.
Kohli Edges Out Mitchell by Just 1 Point
While Kohli has returned to the summit of ODI cricket, the race is extremely close. Kohli leads Mitchell by just one rating point, with 785 points to Mitchell’s 784. The ongoing India-New Zealand ODI series will play a key role in determining the rankings, with the performances in today’s (14 January) second ODI and the third ODI likely to decide who retains the top position.
India’s Dominance in Top-10 Rankings
The ICC ODI rankings highlight India’s batting strength, with five Indian batsmen in the top-10. After Kohli, Rohit Sharma (775 points) holds the third spot, followed by captain Shubman Gill at fourth (725 points). Vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is at tenth with 682 points, having scored 49 runs in Vadodara.
Kohli in Red-Hot Form
Virat Kohli’s recent form has been exceptional. In Vadodara, he scored 93 off 91 balls, marking his fifth consecutive 50+ score in ODIs. This impressive run includes 74 against Australia in Sydney (October), 135* and 102 against South Africa, followed by an unbeaten 65, culminating in his recent 93-run innings. If Kohli maintains this form, it will be difficult for anyone to dislodge him from the top spot.
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