After a spectacular run of form, Virat Kohli has reclaimed the No. 1 position in the ICC ODI rankings for the first time in nearly five years. The 37-year-old’s ascent follows a dominant streak where he recorded five scores of 50 or more in his last six matches, including two centuries. This milestone marks a significant return to the summit for the veteran batter.
However, the celebration was briefly overshadowed by a statistical blunder from the ICC. Shortly after Kohli reached the top spot, the governing body shared a social media graphic intended to showcase how many days he had spent as the world’s top-ranked ODI batter throughout his career. The post incorrectly credited him with only 825 days, which placed him 10th on the all-time list.
ICC blunder over Virat Kohli’s top ODI ranking leaves fans irate
The error did not go unnoticed, as fans and netizens quickly pointed out that the figure contradicted the ICC’s own historical records. Previous documentation confirmed that Kohli had actually spent 1,547 days at the top of the rankings. Following the backlash, the ICC deleted the original post and issued a corrected version, officially reiterating that Kohli’s career total at No. 1 stands at 1,547 days.
Virat Kohli's red-hot form
This correction significantly alters Kohli’s standing in cricket history, propelling him from 10th place to 3rd on the all-time list for most days spent as the world's top-ranked ODI batter. With his tally officially corrected to 1,547 days, he now trails only two West Indies legends: Sir Vivian Richards, who held the spot for 2,306 days, and Brian Lara, who occupied it for 2,079 days.
Now focusing exclusively on the 50-over format, Kohli has been on a purple patch of late. Leading up to the second ODI against New Zealand, the 37-year-old had already secured seven scores of 50 or more across international ODIs and domestic List A matches. It all started in December, when he smashed two spectacular centuries against South Africa.
Kohli carried that elite momentum back to India’s domestic circuit, where he dominated the Vijay Hazare Trophy with another impressive hundred. He then transitioned seamlessly back to the international stage in January, kickstarting the New Zealand series with a commanding 93 to lead India to a clinical victory in the opening match.