Kohli moved up from No 4 to No 2 in the ICC ODI batting rankings only 8 points behind No. 1 ranked Rohit Sharma. Wednesday saw Virat Kohli continue his remarkable late-career resurgence.
This will be the closest Kohli has been to regaining No. 1 since Babar Azam surpassed him back in April 2021.
Kohli's promotion came as a result of a solid series against South Africa with a grand total of 302 runs as was awarded Player of the Series, performing with power and consistency, scoring consecutive centuries 135 in Ranchi, 102 in Guwahati, followed by a winning 65 not out in Visakhapatnam. His recent performances demonstrate that, once again, Kohli is among the best players in the world much like he was during his peak years.
ROHIT MAINTAINS HIS NO. 1 SPOT
While Kohli's spectacular play received more media attention, Rohit Sharma remained firmly in the top spot and maintained that ranking with 146 runs in the series, which provided him with ample padding to remain there. With both Kohli and Rohit at the top of the rankings, it leaves India, again, at the top of the ICC batting rankings like the times when both of these players were regularly featured in the top rankings in the world.
Updated ICC ODI Batting Rankings: Three Indians in Top 5
THE LATEST TOP 10 ODI BATTERS LIST IS AS FOLLOWS
1. Rohit Sharma (IND)
2. Virat Kohli (IND)
3. Daryl Mitchell (NZ)
4. Ibrahim Zadran (AFG)
5. Shubman Gill (IND)
6. Babar Azam (PAK)
7. Harry Tector (IRE)
8. Shai Hope (WI)
9. Charith Asalanka (SL)
10. Shreyas Iyer (IND)
Shubman Gill's (who had finished the last South Africa series) performance kept him at #5 position on the most recent ODI batting ranking, showing how strong and stable the Indian ODI batting line-up is. While KL Rahul progressed another two spots to 12th after solidly performing as a stand-in captain during the South Africa series.
KULDEEP YADAV TO #3 POSITION IN ODI BOWLING
Indian bowling was also represented highly on the bowling lists with Kuldeep Yadav going up three spots to #3 on the list of ODI bowlers solidifying him as one of the best and most dependable wrist spinners in the world. His ability to perform in the middle overs and break up partnerships were key in India's success in the South Africa ODI series.
Kohli's product is another newsworthy story as his dramatic rise after being the highest-ranked ODI batter and competing at that level three years ago leading into a busy season of ODIs in 2026 will be a major storyline for this month. India sports three players in the top five and emerging talent throughout both the batting and bowling rankings, giving India more length and momentum than the last time they had an opportunity to compete in the World Cup.
