IND vs NZ: Will Virat Kohli stay No. 1 ODI batter after his failure in Rajkot?

Virat Kohli got out for 23 runs in the IND vs NZ 2nd ODI in Rajkot.

Indian Cricket Team batter Virat Kohli bagged a marvellous achievement on January 14 (Wednesday), becoming the number one batsman in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) ODI rankings after a long gap of almost five years. The right-handed batter moved to the peak of the rankings on the back of his consistent performances in the last few months.

It all started with Kohli’s dismal show in the first two ODIs against Australia in October last year, where he registered the unwanted record of back-to-back ducks in the first two encounters. Known for his comeback, he did not look back after the humiliating show on foreign soil and displayed his strength in the following games.

The chase master hammered an unbeaten fifty in the third ODI, also playing a crucial role with Rohit Sharma in India’s victory. Later, Kohli left no stone unturned to showcase his might to the fans in the home series against South Africa. He hammered two back-to-back centuries in the first two games and then followed it up a half-century in last game.

He finished the series as the highest run-getter in the series, and was also adjudged Player of the Series for his stunning show.

Later, the 37-year-old replicated his performance against New Zealand ODIs following a one-month break, hitting a fifty in the opening ODI in Rajkot. As the Men in Blue won the clash by four wickets by chasing down a 301-run target, Kohli clinched Player of the Match for his 93.

With his back-to-back brilliant performances, he leapfrogged to the top spot in the latest ICC rankings, dethroning Rohit Sharma from the ace spot.

Can Virat Kohli lose his top spot in ICC rankings for ODI batsmen after low score in Rajkot against New Zealand?

As per the current scenario, Kohli owns the top spot in the ICC rankings with 785 rating points. He has scored 93 and 23 in the two games against the Kiwis.

New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell closely follows him in the second place with 784 rating points. Notably, the Kiwi all-rounder hammered 84 runs in the first game and followed it up with a century in the second clash in Rajkot on Wednesday.

Rohit has moved to the third place with 775 rating points in his kitty, dropping two spots in the updated rankings. Failing to score in both games, Rohit got out for 26 and 24 respectively.

Therefore, a narrow competition is between all of them to become the top-ranked batter in the 50-over format. If Mitchell comes up with another brilliant show in the next game and Kohli flops another time, the former can definitely earn more rating points in his kitty than the latter.

However, if it happens vice-versa, the Indian legend will retain his top spot. Additionally, if both Kohli and Mitchell flop and Rohit makes a comeback with a century in final IND vs NZ ODI, he can also recapture his top position.

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