In the recent ICC ODI batting Rankings announced on Wednesday, October 11, former Indian skipper Virat Kohli made significant strides, climbing two places to secure the No. 7 spot among the world's best batters. This commendable rise comes in the wake of Kohli's impactful 85-run performance against Australia during India's opener in the Cricket World Cup 2023, hosted in Chennai. Meanwhile, another Indian batter Shubman Gill, who is currently stationed at no.1, is just five points away from dethrone Numero Uno Babar Azam, who is going through a rough phase.
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Not far behind in making waves is KL Rahul, who, after his remarkable unbeaten 97-run knock against the Australia, has catapulted back into the top 20 in the ICC ODI Batting rankings. Currently stationed at No. 17, Rahul's consistent prowess since his comeback during the Asia Cup 2023 suggests a potential further ascent in the charts.
Recalling the face-off against Australia in Chennai, both Kohli and Rahul emerged as the linchpins of India's innings, particularly when the team was grappling at a precarious 2 for 3. With early dismissals of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Shreyas Iyer, the onus was on the duo.
Demonstrating remarkable synergy, Kohli and Rahul's pivotal 165-run partnership for the 4th wicket not only steered India out of the woods but also sealed their triumph over Australia, earning them a crucial 2 points in their tournament debut.
As the tournament progresses, Kohli has his eyes set on breaking into the elite top 5 in the batting charts. With a current tally of 715 rating points, he is tantalizingly close, trailing by a mere 9 points from South Africa's Quinton de Kock. De Kock, after his stellar century against Sri Lanka, has moved up a rank, now occupying the sixth position.
In another intriguing subplot, Shubman Gill, who grappling with the dengue fever during the World Cup 2023, is inching closer to the top-ranked Babar Azam. Although Gill missed India's initial World Cup matches, fans are eagerly awaiting his potential comeback against Pakistan on October 14 at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. Babar Azam, despite being the top batter, has had a tepid start in the World Cup, registering only 15 runs in two matches. Yet, Pakistan's victories against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka have set them on a positive trajectory.
Shifting the focus to the bowling front, Mohammed Siraj experienced a drop in his rankings. Once heralded as the No. 1 bowler following his remarkable 6-wicket feat in the Asia Cup final, Siraj now occupies the second spot, trailing Australia's Josh Hazlewood by 18 points. Hazlewood's recent exploits have reinstated him at the pinnacle of the ICC ODI bowlers' list.
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