Indian batting icon Virat Kohli has returned to the top of the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings following India’s four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the opening ODI. As a result, he has reaffirmed his status as one of the game’s greatest modern-day players.
Kohli’s commanding 93 off 91 balls anchored India’s successful chase of a 300-run target in Vadodara. This knock not only sealed the win, but also pushed him closer to Sachin Tendulkar in the all-time men’s international run-scoring charts. Consequently, Kohli now sits second in those charts.
The 37-year-old has been in sublime form since the ODI series in Australia. In detail, he registered scores of 74, 135, 102, 65 and 93** in his last five innings. This rich vein of form has propelled him back to the top of the rankings for the first time since July 2021.
Kohli originally claimed the No.1 ranking in October 2013. Now, this latest update marks his 11th separate stint at the summit. Overall, he has now spent 825 days as the world’s top-ranked ODI batter. This is the most by any Indian and the 10th-highest tally in men’s cricket history.
Meanwhile, New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell is closing in fast. His aggressive 84 off 71 balls in the same match lifted him to his career-best ODI rating. As a result, he is now just one rating point behind Kohli. Mitchell has enjoyed a strong run of form with three half-centuries in his last five ODIs. He also has a century against the West Indies.
Another Black Caps batter, Devon Conway, also made gains. He climbed three places to 29th in the ODI batting rankings. Conway continues to deliver consistent starts at the top of the order.
In the ODI bowlers rankings, India’s Mohammed Siraj rose five spots to joint 15th, sharing the position with Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz. New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson made a massive leap, jumping 27 places to 69th after registering his career-best bowling figures. Notably, he took a four-wicket haul against India. He is level with India’s Arshdeep Singh in the rankings.
The conclusion of the Ashes series triggered notable movement in the Test rankings. Australia’s Travis Head emerged as the biggest winner, surging seven places to third after topping the run charts. In particular, he scored 629 runs at an average of 62.90, including three centuries against England.
Other Test movers included Jacob Bethell, who jumped 25 spots to joint 52nd following his maiden Test hundred. Additionally, Michael Neser climbed seven places to 47th after a strong showing in Sydney. Beau Webster also enjoyed ranking gains across all three disciplines after an outstanding all-round performance in the Ashes finale.
In the T20I rankings, Sri Lanka leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga moved up to second among bowlers after a series-levelling performance against Pakistan. Pakistan pacer Salman Mirza rose 16 places to 19th following a three-wicket haul against Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, strong batting displays lifted Sahibzada Farhan to fifth and captain Salman Agha to 41st.
In the all-rounders standings, Saim Ayub’s slight drop opened the door for Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza. He has reclaimed the No.1 all-rounder ranking in the latest ICC update.
With Kohli back on top and challengers closing in, the ICC rankings reflect a fiercely competitive phase in international cricket across formats.