Virat Kohli or Daryl Mitchell? Who will be No. 1 ODI batter after third IND vs NZ ODI?

Daryl Mitchell smashed 137 runs off 131 balls, while Virat Kohli hammered 124 runs off 108 balls in third IND vs NZ ODI.

In a thrilling conclusion to the India vs New Zealand ODI series at Indore’s Holkar Stadium on January 18, 2026, the spotlight was firmly on the race for the top spot in the ICC Men’s ODI batting rankings. With the series tied at 1-1 heading into the decider, both Virat Kohli and Daryl Mitchell delivered standout performances with the bat, but it was Mitchell’s heroics that propelled New Zealand to a 41-run victory.

Batting first after India won the toss, New Zealand found themselves in early trouble. Enter Daryl Mitchell, the in-form Kiwi batter, who anchored the innings with a magnificent 137 off 131 balls. His knock included 15 fours and three sixes, showcasing a blend of patience and aggression.

Mitchell’s second consecutive century in the series following his ton in the second ODI at Vadodara, formed a crucial 219-run partnership with Glenn Phillips, who smashed 106 off 88 balls.

Chasing 338, India relied on Virat Kohli to orchestrate a comeback after early wickets tumbled, leaving them at 71/4. Kohli, batting at No. 3, delivered a special knock, to bring up his 54th ODI century, ending with 124 off 108. It was vintage Kohli: starting cautiously, rotating strike and unleashing in the end, while batting with the tail. Unfortunately for India, it wasn’t enough, as they fell short in the end.

Who will be No. 1 ODI batter after third IND vs NZ ODI?

Yet, despite Kohli’s brilliance, Daryl Mitchell is poised to remain the No. 1 ODI batter when the ICC rankings update post-series. Heading into the match, the duo were separated by a mere point, Kohli at 785 and Mitchell at 784 making every run count. The ICC rating system, which factors in runs scored, strike rate, opposition quality, and match outcome, favours performances in winning causes.

Mitchell’s 137 came in a victorious effort, earning him bonus points for contributing to a team total and a successful defense. His higher run tally and role in a match-winning partnership against India’s top-rated bowlers (ranked highly in the ICC charts) will likely boost his rating by 15-20 points.

In contrast, Kohli’s 124, while impressive, occurred in a losing chase. The system deducts marginal points for defeats, and though his unbeaten status and strike rate provide bonuses, the overall impact is tempered. India’s collapse around him meant his knock, heroic as it was, couldn’t sway the result.

Additionally, Mitchell’s consistency across the series with two centuries strengthens his case, while Kohli’s scores were more varied. As per ICC algorithms, which average performances over recent matches with recency weighting, Mitchell’s edge in this decider should see him climb to around 800 points, keeping him ahead.

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