Virat Kohli’s remarkable resurgence in one-day international cricket has culminated in a return to the very top of the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings, marking one of the most significant moments of his illustrious career in recent years. After a wait of more than four years, the former India captain has reclaimed the coveted No. 1 position, displacing teammate Rohit Sharma following a match-winning performance against New Zealand in the opening ODI of the ongoing series.

Kohli’s ascent was confirmed in the latest ICC rankings update released shortly before India’s second ODI against New Zealand at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. The 37-year-old’s return to the summit is the result of sustained excellence across multiple series, underlining his enduring greatness in the 50-over format.

Match-Winning Knock Seals Return to the Top

The defining moment of Kohli’s climb came in Vadodara, where India chased down a challenging 300-run target set by New Zealand. Kohli anchored the chase with a composed yet commanding 93 off 91 deliveries, guiding India to a four-wicket victory. His innings not only ensured a winning start to the series but also pushed him past Rohit Sharma in the ICC rankings.

With that knock, Kohli gained 12 rating points to move to 785, while Rohit dropped six points to slide from 781 to 775. The reshuffle saw Rohit fall to third place, with New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell surging into second, just one rating point behind Kohli at 784. The top three batters are now separated by a mere 10 points, setting the stage for a tightly contested battle over the remainder of the series.

A Historic Return After Four Long Years

This is the first time Kohli has occupied the No. 1 ODI batter position since July 2021, when he last held the ranking before being overtaken by Pakistan’s Babar Azam. Kohli had previously enjoyed an extended reign at the top from 2017 to early 2021, finishing four consecutive calendar years as the world’s highest-ranked ODI batter.

After losing the top spot in April 2021, Kohli watched as Babar Azam dominated the rankings for four straight calendar years. Rohit Sharma eventually claimed the No. 1 ranking in 2025, setting up a fresh chapter in India’s internal rivalry—one that Kohli has now won through sheer consistency and form.

Kohli’s 11th Stint at the Summit

Kohli first rose to No. 1 in the ODI batting rankings in October 2013, and his latest achievement marks the 11th time he has reached the pinnacle. Across these stints, he has now spent a cumulative 825 days at the top—more than any other Indian batter in history.

That tally places him 10th on the all-time list for days spent as the world’s top-ranked ODI batter. The list is led by West Indies legend Vivian Richards, who dominated the rankings for an astonishing 2,306 days. Among Indians, Kohli stands alone, surpassing icons such as Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma.

Sustained Form Fuels the Comeback

Kohli’s return to No. 1 has been built on an extraordinary run of scores stretching back several months. Since October, he has amassed seven successive fifty-plus scores in the format, equalling the Indian List A record for the most consecutive 50+ scores.

This streak began during India’s tour of Australia, where Kohli bounced back from two consecutive ducks with a fluent 74 not out in Sydney. That innings marked the start of a remarkable revival. On returning home, he followed it up with scores of 135, 102, and an unbeaten 65 in a 2-1 series win against South Africa in November–December.

The momentum carried forward into the New Zealand series, where his 93 in Vadodara not only powered India’s chase but also saw him equal another Indian record for successive fifty-plus scores in ODIs.

Of the seven consecutive scores, five have come in India colours, while the remaining two—a century and a fifty—were scored for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Kohli has previously managed five successive fifty-plus scores on four occasions, a feat also achieved by Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Rohit Sharma, and Ajinkya Rahane. One more such score in Rajkot could see Kohli surpass them all.

Chasing Legends and Breaking Records

Kohli’s prolific run has also propelled him up the all-time international run-scoring charts. His latest contributions have moved him into second place on the men’s international runs list, bringing him closer than ever to Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record.

Additionally, Kohli holds the Indian record for finishing the most calendar years at No. 1 in ODI batting rankings, having topped the charts from 2017 to 2020. Only Brian Lara, Vivian Richards, and Greg Chappell have finished five calendar years at the summit of the ODI rankings—a milestone Kohli remains within touching distance of.

Daryl Mitchell Emerges as a Serious Challenger

While Kohli reclaimed the top spot, New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell has emerged as a formidable contender. His aggressive 84 off 71 balls in the series opener against India helped him leapfrog Rohit Sharma and climb to second place.

Mitchell’s latest ranking is the highest of his career, and he now sits just one point behind Kohli. His recent form has been exceptional, highlighted by three half-centuries in his last five ODIs and a century against the West Indies. With two matches still to play in the series, Mitchell remains firmly in contention to claim the top spot.

Other Movements in ODI Batting Rankings

The rankings update also brought positive news for several other players. K.L. Rahul moved up one position to 11th among ODI batters, while New Zealand opener Devon Conway climbed three places to reach 29th, continuing his consistent run at the top of the order.

Among bowlers, India pacer Mohammed Siraj’s impressive showing earned him a five-place jump to 15th, where he is now tied with Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz. New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson was one of the biggest movers, surging 27 spots to joint 69th after producing his career-best ODI bowling figures with a four-wicket haul against India. He now shares that position with India’s Arshdeep Singh.

Ashes Impact: Major Shifts in Test Rankings

The conclusion of the Ashes series triggered several significant changes in the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings. Australia completed a dominant 4-1 series victory in Sydney, with multiple players reaping the rewards.

Travis Head, the leading run-scorer of the series, climbed seven places to third after amassing 629 runs at an average of 62.90, including three centuries. Steve Smith also advanced one spot to fourth following his century in the final Test.

England’s Joe Root, who finally registered a Test hundred in Australia and finished as his team’s top run-scorer, consolidated his position at the top of the Test batting rankings. Harry Brook remains second, continuing his strong hold near the summit.

Jacob Bethell enjoyed a significant leap, jumping 25 places to 52nd after scoring his maiden Test century—a superb 154—in the final Ashes Test. Michael Neser also made notable progress, moving up seven places to 47th after a strong performance in Sydney, marking his first entry into the top 50.

Bowlers and All-Rounders Shine in Tests

Mitchell Starc, named Player of the Series for his 31 wickets during the Ashes, made a dramatic climb from ninth to third in the Test bowling rankings. His contributions with the bat also saw him rise into the top five of the Test all-rounders list.

Scott Boland maintained his position at seventh after finishing the series with 20 wickets. England seamer Josh Tongue enjoyed a career-best rise, moving up nine places to 21st after taking six wickets in the final Test.

Beau Webster emerged as one of the biggest all-round movers following an outstanding performance in the Ashes finale. His batting ranking improved six places to 58th, his bowling ranking jumped 29 places to 80th—where he now sits alongside Justin Greaves—and he climbed 22 spots to reach 26th in the all-rounders rankings, sharing that position with Simon Harmer.

T20I Rankings: Hasaranga and Pakistan Players Gain Ground

In the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings, Sri Lanka spinner Wanindu Hasaranga moved up three places to second following a five-wicket haul in the three-match home series against Pakistan, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Pakistan players also made notable strides. Left-arm pacer Salman Mirza climbed 16 places to 19th after taking three wickets across the series. Batter Sahibzada Farhan rose one spot to fifth after scoring 61 runs, while captain Salman Agha advanced 13 places to reach 41st following an aggregate of 60 runs.

In the all-rounders rankings, Saim Ayub slipped one position, allowing Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza to reclaim the No. 1 spot.

A Champion Back Where He Belongs

Virat Kohli’s return to the top of the ODI batting rankings is more than just a numerical achievement—it is a testament to his resilience, adaptability, and relentless pursuit of excellence. After navigating lean phases, intense scrutiny, and fierce competition, Kohli has once again established himself as the benchmark in one-day cricket.

With the New Zealand series still ongoing and challengers closing in, the battle for supremacy is far from over. Yet, for now, Kohli stands alone at the summit, proving that class, consistency, and hunger for runs never fade.

With inputs from agencies

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