IND vs NZ: Virat Kohli dethrones Rohit Sharma; Becomes new No. 1 ODI batsman in latest ICC rankings

Virat Kohli’s golden run continues as he returns to the top of the ODI batting charts for the first time since 2021.

India’s former captain and star batter Virat Kohli has once again stamped his authority on world cricket by reclaiming the ICC ODI No. 1 ranking. His fabulous run with the bat has ended a five-year wait to return to the summit.

The former India captain displaced teammate Rohit Sharma to become the top-ranked ODI batter in the latest ICC rankings update.

The 37-year-old’s remarkable resurgence with the bat has been nothing short of sensational, and his climb to the top reflects a period of sustained excellence across formats and competitions.

From Sydney to Vadodara: Virat Kohli’s unstoppable run 

Kohli’s rise to the top has been built on consistency, hunger, and match-winning performances. He gained 12 rating points to move to 785 points, while Rohit Sharma dropped six points to settle at 775. New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell is hot on Kohli’s heels with 784 points, just one behind the Indian great.

The turning point in Kohli’s surge came during the third ODI against Australia in Sydney in October 2025, where he kick-started a stunning run of form.

Since then, Kohli has registered seven consecutive 50-plus scores in ODIs, equalling the Indian List A record for most such scores in succession. Notably, five of those have come in India colours, underlining his impact at the international level.

His consistency didn’t stop there. Kohli went on to smash two centuries and an unbeaten fifty against South Africa in a 2-1 series victory, followed by a commanding 93 in the opening ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara.

That knock also helped him equal another Indian record for consecutive fifty-plus scores in ODIs. Adding to his impressive run, Kohli also scored a century and a fifty for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, showing that his form transcends formats and competitions.

A historic return to the top for the modern great

Kohli last held the No. 1 ODI ranking in July 2021, before being overtaken by Pakistan’s Babar Azam. After that, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma also held the summit spot. Now, Kohli has completed a full-circle moment by reclaiming his throne. This achievement further strengthens Kohli’s legacy as one of the greatest ODI batters of all time.

He already holds the Indian record for finishing most calendar years at No. 1 (four times from 2017 to 2020). Only legends like Brian Lara, Vivian Richards, and Greg Chappell have finished five calendar years at the top, putting Kohli in elite company.

Among Indian batters, only Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Rohit Sharma, and Ajinkya Rahane have previously matched Kohli’s feat of five consecutive fifty-plus scores. However, Kohli now stands on the brink of surpassing them all.

Kohli’s return to peak form couldn’t have come at a better time, as some people had been questioning his commitment in recent times. His hunger, fitness, and relentless drive continue to set him apart, proving that age is just a number when class is permanent.

ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings (Latest Update)

1. Virat Kohli (India) – 785
2. Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand) – 784
3. Rohit Sharma (India) – 775
4. Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan) – 764
5. Shubman Gill (India) – 725

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