Former India captain Virat Kohli’s return to the summit of the ICC ODI Batters Rankings may be a fleeting achievement, as the star cricketer faces an immediate threat to his no.1 position. While the latest rankings released on January 14 saw Kohli reclaim the top spot for the first time since 2021, the narrow margins involved mean his tenure could end when the ICC issues its next update on January 21.
Why Virat Kohli’s no.1 ranking is set to be short-lived
This recent shift occurred just as the second ODI between India and New Zealand was getting underway in Rajkot. Kohli’s match-winning 93 in the series opener in Vadodara allowed him to leapfrog teammate Rohit Sharma. However, the race at the top has become a statistical deadlock; Kohli currently leads with 785 points, holding a lead of just a single point over New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, who surged into second place with 784 points. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma remains a close contender in third place with 775 points.
ALSO READ: Gavaskar calls Rahul 'underachiever' after latter's robust ton in IND vs NZ 2nd ODI, know why
The volatility of the current rankings is a direct reflection of the contrasting performances in the first ODI. While Rohit Sharma managed only 26 runs, both Mitchell and Kohli capitalized on the conditions, scoring 84 and 93 respectively. With the top three batters now separated by such a slim margin, any significant performance in the ongoing series could cause the crown to change hands once again in the coming week.
Daryl Mitchell to dethrone Kohli after handsome century in Rajkot
While Virat Kohli waited 1,401 days to reclaim his No. 1 ranking, he now faces the very real possibility of losing it within mere hours. The razor-thin margin between him, Daryl Mitchell, and Rohit Sharma has turned every innings into a decisive factor. During the Rajkot ODI on Wednesday, Kohli’s exceptional run of form hit a roadblock; for the first time in six innings, he failed to cross the fifty-run mark, falling for just 23. Similarly, Rohit Sharma was unable to make a significant impact, departing for 24, while Mitchell capitalized on the opportunity by smashing a brilliant century.
ALSO READ: Mitchell Starc drops big hint at international retirement, says 'I won't be bowling when...'
However, the race is not entirely over. Kohli and Rohit still have one final opportunity to reclaim the lead during the third and final ODI in Indore this Sunday, January 18. Because the ICC only updates its official rankings on Wednesdays, the next release on January 21 will account for the entire series. If Mitchell falters in the finale and either of the Indian veterans produces a massive score, the crown could swing back in India’s favor.
The stakes for this ranking are unusually high due to the upcoming cricketing calendar. Following this series, both India and New Zealand will shift their entire focus to the T20 World Cup, with no ODI matches scheduled until June. Consequently, whoever finishes this series at the top of the table is virtually guaranteed to hold the world number one ranking for at least the next six months.