India's batting maestro Virat Kohli has taken a big jump in the ICC ODI batting rankings following his superlative knock against Australia in the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal in Dubai on March 4.
Virat Kohli's surge in ICC ODI batter rankings
Kohli match-winning 84-run innings secured him the fourth spot in the latest ICC ODI batting rankings. Kohli apparently left behind his captain Rohit Sharma, who now occupies fifth place in the standings. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill maintained his position at the top of the rankings, reigning supreme as World no.1 ODI batter.
In other ranking movements, Australian captain Steven Smith, who recently announced his ODI retirement, experienced a notable climb. His contributions during the tournament lifted him six places to 16th. Moreover, Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai has achieved a significant milestone, ascending to the number one position in the ICC all-rounder rankings. This achievement meant he replaced his fellow countryman, Mohammad Nabi, at the summit.
Azmatullah Omarzai's outstanding performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has catapulted him to the top of the all-rounder rankings. His campaign, featuring a remarkable maiden five-wicket haul against England and a crucial fifty against Australia, showcased his versatility and impact. Beyond his all-round prowess, Omarzai also made significant strides in the ODI batter rankings. His 126 runs throughout the tournament resulted in a 12-place jump, placing him 24th with 598 rating points.
Another notable rise in the all-rounder rankings came from India's Axar Patel.
His impressive showing led to a 17-place climb, securing him the 13th position and a career-high 194 rating points. In the bowling rankings, New Zealand's Matt Henry was rewarded for his exceptional tournament. He ascended three spots, now occupying the third position with 649 rating points. This puts him behind Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana, who holds the top spot, and South Africa's Keshav Maharaj, who is ranked second.
Mohammed Shami's impactful performance during the Champions Trophy has resulted in a notable climb in the ICC ODI bowling rankings. The Indian seamer's resurgence propelled him three places upward, securing him the 11th position. Similarly, South Africa's Marco Jansen experienced a significant surge, rising nine spots to 18th. England's Jofra Archer also made substantial gains, climbing 13 places to share the 19th position with his teammate Adil Rashid and Australia's Mitchell Starc.
