Virat Kohli displaces Rohit Sharma to become the new no.1-ranked ODI batter

Virat Kohli surges to ICC No.1 ODI batter ranking, displacing captain Rohit Sharma after match-winning 93 vs NZ; Kohli's superior consistency (53 ODI tons vs Rohit's 33) finally claims top spot post 28,000-run milestone.

By Rui 15 Jan 2026 in Cricket

New Update

After the Men in Blue's thrilling four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first ODI at Vadodara, Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has gained the no.1 rank in the ICC ODI batting rankings update on January 14, 2026.

In the current three-match ODI series opening in Vadodara, Kohli scored an incredible 93 runs from 91 balls, making him the second-highest run scorer in international cricket history.

The ICC released the latest update just before India's second game of the current series against New Zealand at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, making Virat Kohli the top-ranked ODI batter for the first time in five years.

For the first time since losing it on April 2, 2021, Kohli, 37, took back the top rank in the format.

After leading the batting rankings in the 50-over format for four years starting in 2017, Kohli was overthrown by Babar Azam of Pakistan in early 2021. Before Rohit took the top spot in 2025, Babar maintained it for the following four calendar seasons.

Virat Kohli becomes new no.1 ranked ODI batter; Rohit Sharma slips to no.3 spot in latest update

Rohit dropped six points, from 781 to 775, while Kohli's rating rose by 12 points to 785. With a career-high ranking of 784, New Zealand all-rounder Daryll Mitchell leapt to second place, only one point behind Kohli.

The third ODI against Australia in Sydney in October 2025 marked the start of Kohli's incredible scoring run that would propel him to the top. Since then, Kohli has tied the Indian List A record for the most straight 50-plus innings in the format with seven.

Delhi scored a century and fifty in the Vijay Hazare Trophy last month, and five of them had played for India.

He is still one of cricket's most formidable batsmen at 37 thanks to his versatility and expertise in the 50-over game. He has demonstrated his ability to play high-impact innings under duress.

As one of the most successful ODI batsmen in cricket history, Kohli's ascent to the top spot further solidifies his place among the game's contemporary greats.

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