Virat Kohli’s outstanding form in the recent ODI series against South Africa has earned him a major rise in the latest ICC rankings update. After a dominant three-match performance, Kohli has climbed to the No. 2 position among ODI batters, sitting just behind India’s captain Rohit Sharma.
The Virat Kohli was exceptional throughout the series, scoring 302 runs at an average of 151. His consistency included two excellent centuries in the opening matches, followed by a composed unbeaten 65 in the final ODI. India went on to seal the series 2–1, and Kohli earned the Player of the Series award for his match-winning contributions.
Rohit Sharma Retains the No. 1 Spot
Rohit Sharma continues to lead the ODI batting rankings with 781 rating points. He enjoyed a strong series as well, scoring 146 runs at an average of 48.67. His steady performances ensured India’s top order remained in control during key moments.
Kohli, now at 773 rating points, has narrowed the gap significantly and strengthened India’s dominance in the ODI batting charts.
Indian Players Shine Across Rankings
Alongside Rohit and Kohli, two more Indian players made noteworthy gains in the latest ICC updates:
▶ KL Rahul Moves Up
KL Rahul, who captained India during the series, climbed two places to reach No. 12 in the ODI batting rankings. His composed knocks of 60 and an unbeaten 66 ensured stability in the middle order during the first two matches.
▶ Kuldeep Yadav Breaks Into Top 3
Kuldeep Yadav was India’s standout bowler, finishing the series with nine wickets — the highest among both teams. His performances pushed him three places up to No. 3 in the ODI bowling rankings, marking an important milestone in his career.
Global Rankings Highlights
The latest ICC rankings update also delivered significant changes for players from other teams:
▶ Dewald Brevis Enters T20I Top 10
South Africa’s young talent Dewald Brevis has broken into the top ten among T20I batters. His rise to No. 8 follows consistent showings, including a promising knock in the first T20I against India.
▶ Mitchell Starc Climbs in Test Rankings
Australia’s Mitchell Starc continues his excellent run in the Ashes, securing back-to-back Player of the Match awards. His fiery spells have taken him to No. 3 among Test bowlers with 852 rating points — the highest of his career so far. Starc has already picked up 18 wickets at an average of 14 in the ongoing series.
Test Batting Rankings See Movement
Joe Root remains the No. 1 Test batter after a remarkable unbeaten 138 in Brisbane, marking his first Test century in Australia.
He is followed by:
- Kane Williamson, who moved up one spot after his fifty against West Indies
- Steven Smith, who also climbed a place with consistent contributions in the Ashes, accumulating over 100 runs in the series so far
Final Thoughts
India’s dual dominance at the top of the ODI batting rankings highlights the team’s strong form ahead of the upcoming cricket season. Kohli’s and Rohit’s performances reaffirm their status as two of the finest modern-day batters, while emerging stars like Rahul and Kuldeep continue to strengthen India’s depth.
With ongoing Test and T20I action worldwide, the ICC rankings are expected to undergo more shifts in the coming weeks.
