Virat Kohli reclaims ODI No.1 ranking after match-winning knock against New Zealand
PTC Web Desk: Indian batting icon Virat Kohli has climbed back to the top of the ICC men’s ODI batting rankings, overtaking teammate Rohit Sharma after India’s four-wicket win over New Zealand in the opening ODI. Kohli’s composed 93 off 91 balls played a decisive role in India successfully chasing a challenging 300-run target in Vadodara.
The latest update marks Kohli Kohli’s return to the No.1 position for the first time since July 2021, underlining his remarkable resurgence in white-ball cricket. With this innings, the 37-year-old also edged closer to batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, moving into second place on the all-time list of highest run-scorers in men’s international cricket.
Kohli has been in red-hot form since the ODI series in Australia. His last five innings now read: 74 not out, 135, 102, 65 not out, and 93 — a run that reflects consistency, control and hunger at the top level.
This is the 11th time Virat Kohli has reached the summit of the ODI batting rankings since first achieving the feat in October 2013. Overall, he has spent 825 days as the world’s top-ranked ODI batter, the longest by any Indian and the 10th highest tally globally.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell also made significant gains in the rankings. His aggressive 84 off 71 balls in the first ODI pushed him to a career-best rating, leaving him just one point behind Kohli. Mitchell has enjoyed a strong run in ODIs recently, including three half-centuries in his last five matches and a century against the West Indies.
Another New Zealand batter, Devon Conway, moved up three places to 29th, continuing his steady contributions at the top of the order.
In the ODI bowlers’ rankings, India pacer Mohammed Siraj jumped five spots to 15th following his impactful spell, sharing the position with Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz. New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson also made a big leap, rising 27 places to joint 69th after registering his best-ever ODI bowling figures against India. He now shares the rank with India’s Arshdeep Singh.
The latest Test rankings also saw notable movement after the conclusion of the Ashes series. Australia’s Travis Head surged seven places to third, finishing as the leading run-scorer of the series with 629 runs at an average of 62.90, including three centuries.
Youngster Jacob Bethell climbed 25 spots to joint 52nd following his maiden Test hundred in the final Ashes match, while all-rounder Michael Neser rose seven places to 47th after a strong showing in Sydney. Beau Webster enjoyed gains across all departments, improving his batting ranking to 58th, bowling ranking to 80th, and all-rounder ranking to 26th after an outstanding performance in the Ashes finale.
In T20I rankings, Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga moved up to second place among bowlers after his efforts in the series-deciding match against Pakistan. Pakistan pacer Salman Mirza climbed 16 places to 19th following a three-wicket haul against Sri Lanka, while batter Sahibzada Farhan rose one spot to fifth. Captain Salman Agha also improved his standing, jumping 13 places to 41st.
In the all-rounders’ category, Zimbabwe veteran Sikandar Raza reclaimed the top position after India’s Saim Ayub slipped down by one spot in the latest update.
- With inputs from agencies
