Virat Kohli has moved to No. 2 in the ICC ODI batting rankings, narrowing the gap on Rohit Sharma after a dominant series against South Africa.
Mumbai | By Niaz Shinwari
Virat Kohli’s Player-of-the-Series performance against South Africa has lifted him to No. 2 in the ICC ODI batting rankings, placing him just behind India captain Rohit Sharma in the latest update released on Wednesday. Kohli scored 302 runs at an average of 151 in the three-match series, including consecutive centuries in the opening fixtures and an unbeaten 65 in the final ODI, which India won to seal the series 2–1.
Rohit retained his position at the top with 781 rating points after contributing two half-centuries in the series, finishing with 146 runs at an average of 48.67. Kohli follows closely with 773 points as the two continue to dominate the ODI batting charts.
India registered further gains in the rankings, with stand-in captain KL Rahul rising two spots to No. 12 after scoring 60 and 66* in the first two ODIs. Kuldeep Yadav, who claimed nine wickets to finish as the leading bowler of the series, moved three places up to No. 3 among ODI bowlers.
South Africa also saw movement across formats, with Dewald Brevis climbing to No. 8 among T20I batters after his 22 in the opening match against India.
In the Test rankings, Australia’s Mitchell Starc continued his strong Ashes campaign, jumping three places to No. 3 among bowlers after taking 18 wickets at an average of 14 in the first two Tests. His 852 rating points mark a new career high.
Joe Root remains the No. 1 Test batter following an unbeaten 138 in Brisbane, his first century in Australia. Kane Williamson and Steven Smith both moved up one place each after scoring half-centuries in their respective ongoing series.
The latest ICC rankings reflect mid-season fluctuations across formats, influenced by India’s ODI series win over South Africa and the ongoing Ashes series. Kohli and Rohit’s continued dominance highlights India’s stability at the top of the ODI batting order, while Starc’s rise underscores Australia’s strong bowling form in Test cricket.