5 players with most days as No. 1 ODI batter ft. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli has enjoyed being No. 1 ODI batter in ICC rankings across 11 different spells in his career.
One Day International (ODI) cricket has a rich history spanning over 55 years, with the first match being played on 5th January 1971. Since its inception, the format has attracted massive global viewership and has played a crucial role in shaping modern cricket.
The popularity of ODI cricket reached its peak after the introduction of the World Cup in 1975, as it brought together the best teams from around the world and gave fans memorable moments that defined generations. Many legendary cricketers have graced ODI cricket with their exceptional talent, mental strength, and match-winning abilities, leaving a lasting impact on the game.
While several batters have enjoyed brief spells at the top, only a select few managed to dominate the format consistently and hold the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI rankings for extended periods.
Remaining at the top for years requires not just talent, but remarkable consistency, adaptability across conditions, and the ability to perform under pressure. On that note, let’s have a look at the top 5 players who spent most number of days as the No. 1 ranked batter in ODI cricket.
5 players with most days as No. 1 ODI batter
5. Babar Azam – 1359 Days
Pakistani batter Babar Azam defines the new generation of Pakistan’s cricketers. He dethroned Virat Kohli to become the No. 1 ODI batter in 2021 and remained at the top of the ICC ODI rankings for a while, spanning over 1,359 days. Babar is regarded as one of the finest ODI cricketers produced by Pakistan, having scored over 6,500 runs at an impressive average of 53 in the format.
4. Michael Bevan – 1361 Days
Michael Bevan is often regarded as one of the greatest finishers in the history of cricket, and his impact on the ODI format was immense. Playing during the peak years of Australia’s golden era, Bevan was a vital part of one of the most dominant teams the sport has ever seen.
Bevan finished his ODI career with an average of over 53, scoring more than 6,900 runs. Bevan also enjoyed one of the longest peaks in ODI cricket history. He remained at the top of the ICC ODI batting rankings for a remarkable 1,361 days, the most by any Australian batter.
3. Virat Kohli – 1547 Days
At number three is the Indian great, Virat Kohli. The right-hander has left his mark in every format of the game, but ODIs have been his most dominant format in terms of statistics and consistency.
Every time Virat steps onto the field in this format, he seems to break one record after another. He has enjoyed 11 different spells at the top of the ICC ODI batting rankings, spending a total of 1,547 days at number one, the most by any Indian player.
Kohli is widely regarded as one of the greatest ODI batters of all time, with more than 14,000 runs to his name and an astonishing average of around 58 in the format.
2. Brian Lara – 2079 Days
Brian Lara sits at the second position on the list. Known as the “Prince of Port of Spain,” Lara played in an era filled with fierce competition, with legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting performing at their peaks during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Despite this intense rivalry, Lara managed to dominate the ICC ODI batting rankings for an incredible 2,079 days, more than both Tendulkar and Ponting. With his elegance, timing, and unmatched temperament, Lara inspired an entire generation of left-handed batters to take up the sport.
1. Viv Richards – 2306 Days
At the top of the list is another West Indian great, Sir Viv Richards. Richards is widely regarded as one of the finest batters to ever play the game, especially in ODI cricket. Playing in an era when the format was still evolving, he was known for his fearless approach and his ability to dominate bowlers with remarkable consistency.
Richards scored 6,721 runs in ODIs at an impressive average of 47 and an exceptional strike rate of 90, numbers that were extremely rare for that period. His aggressive mindset redefined ODI batting and set new standards for future generations. He spent a record 2,360 days at the top of the ICC ODI rankings, the most by any batter in the history of the format.
Which Indian player has spent the most days as No. 1 ODI batter in the ICC rankings?
The Indian player with the most number of days at the top of the ICC ODI rankings is Virat Kohli, with a record 1,547 days.
Who are the two players who stayed at the top of the ICC ODI rankings for more than 2,000 days?
Viv Richards and Brian Lara, both West Indies legends, are the only two players who spent more than 2,000 days at the top of the ICC ODI rankings.
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