How did Virat Kohli overtake Rohit Sharma to claim No. 1 ODI Batting Ranking?

Virat Kohli won the Player of the Match award in the first ODI against New Zealand.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are two of the biggest superstars of international cricket and among the best batsmen to have ever walked in for the Indian cricket team.

Following India’s victory in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, both veteran Indian batsmen retired from T20I cricket in June 2024. In May 2025, they bid farewell to the longest format of the game with the intention of focusing solely on the 50-over format in the final stages of their career.

After their test retirement, they made a comeback to the Indian team against Australia in a three-match ODI series in October 2025. Rohit Sharma rocked with the bat in the series, smacking a century and fifty to win the Player of the Series award.

Despite India’s 2-1 defeat in the campaign, he grabbed the limelight by finishing as the leading run-scorer in the series with 202 runs at a stunning average of 101.0.

After the series, he also moved to the top spot in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) rankings for ODI batters, achieving the triumph for the first time in his career.

However, he could not hold his peak position for long, as Kohli bounced back with impeccable performances in the following campaigns against South Africa and New Zealand.

From Ducks to No. 1 Ranking: Virat Kohli’s unstoppable run 

In the Australia series, Virat Kohli suffered back-to-back ducks in the first two games, witnessing the unwanted record for the first time in ODIs.

However, he bounced back with a half-century in the third ODI against Australia. He scored an unbeaten 74 runs in the match and etched a match-winning partnership with Rohit.

In November, Kohli followed up on his stunning form, smacking two centuries (135 and 102) in the first two ODI games against the Proteas. He also hit a half-century (65*) in the third game and was awarded Player of the Series as India won 2-1.

After a break of one month, Kohli started 2026 with a bang, storming to a 93-run knock in the 1st ODI against New Zealand in January. Leading the team to victory by four wickets in the 301-run chase, he was adjudged Player of the Match. However, he got out for 23 runs in the second ODI in Rajkot.

Since Rohit failed to make a mark in the first two games against the Black Caps, Kohli managed to steal his top spot in the ICC rankings for ODI batters. Getting out for 26 and 24, respectively, in the first two games, Rohit could not grab the spotlight with his performances. On the other hand, Kohli impressed the fans with his consistent form.

As per the latest ICC rankings on January 14, Kohli has 785 rating points and takes the top spot among ODI batters. Rohit has dropped to third place with 775 ratings points. New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell, who scored 84 runs in the first IND vs NZ ODI, occupies second place with 784 rating points.

Virat Kohli’s last six innings in ODIs-

• 23 vs NZ
• 93 vs NZ
• 65* vs SA
• 102 vs SA
• 135 vs SA
• 74* vs AUS

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