At 38 years and 182 days, Rohit Sharma has achieved what even the most passionate cricket followers thought had eluded him, becoming the World No. 1 ODI batter for the first time in his illustrious career.
Rohit Sharma tops ODI rankings for the first time; surpasses Shubman Gill
The Indian opener’s masterful display against Australia, where he scored 202 runs in three matches at an average of 101, propelled him past Shubman Gill and Ibrahim Zadran in the latest ICC rankings. His unbeaten 121* in Sydney not only guided India to a memorable 2-1 series win but also marked one of the most complete limited-overs innings seen in recent years.
Rohit’s achievement is not just statistical, it’s symbolic of longevity, resilience, and sustained excellence in modern-day cricket. With this feat, he joins the elite Indian club of Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Gill, all of whom have ruled the ODI rankings. For Rohit, the milestone represents a crowning moment in a career that continues to inspire, even as he enters the twilight of his international journey.
Rohit’s dominance reflects India’s batting depth and experience
Rohit’s resurgence at the top of the ICC ODI batting rankings underlines the consistency that has defined his 17-year international career. He accumulated a total of 781 rating points, surpassing Afghanistan’s Zadran (764) and teammate Gill (745) to claim the top position. What sets Rohit apart is his ability to adapt his tempo, rotating strike early, unleashing signature pull shots later, and finishing strong under pressure.
His partnership with Shreyas Iyer, who also broke into the top 10 following his fluent 68 in Adelaide, reflects India’s growing middle-order stability. Virat Kohli, who scored a gritty 74* in the final ODI, holds firm at sixth with 725 points, showcasing India’s enduring batting strength. Beyond India, Babar Azam remains in the top five, while England’s Dawid Malan and South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen continue their steady climb.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj lead India’s charge in bowling rankings shake-up
India’s rise in the batting charts has been matched by strong performances from its bowlers, as the latest ICC ODI bowling rankings feature two Indians in the top five. Jasprit Bumrah, with his clinical new-ball spells against Australia, climbed to No. 2, just behind Keshav Maharaj of South Africa, who retained his top spot. Bumrah’s economy rate of 4.10 and 6 wickets in the series highlighted his unmatched control and accuracy.
Mohammed Siraj, India’s key strike bowler, maintained his position at No. 4 after picking crucial breakthroughs with the new ball, especially his double strike at Adelaide that rattled Australia early. Kuldeep Yadav, thanks to his middle-overs mastery, moved to No. 8, becoming the highest-ranked wrist-spinner in the world. Among others, Josh Hazlewood’s disciplined bowling pushed him to No. 7, while Adam Zampa rose to No. 12 following a four-wicket haul in the second ODI.
