Latest ICC rankings: Kohli second in ODIs, Rohit stays at top; Starc and Hope gain points in Test rankings

Virat Kohli has risen to second in the ICC ODI batting rankings after India's series win over South Africa, trailing captain Rohit Sharma. Kohli scored 302 runs in the series as he won the POTS award.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are the No.1 and No.2 ODI batters in the world respectively. Image | BCCI on X

Virat Kohli has edged closer to reclaiming the top spot in ODI batting rankings, climbing to second place behind captain Rohit Sharma following India's recent series triumph over South Africa. The latest rankings highlight a rewarding week for several Indian cricketers across formats, underscoring the team's depth and resurgence in white-ball cricket.

Kohli second, Rohit first in ODI batting chart

Kohli, the 37-year-old run-machine, amassed 302 runs in the three-match ODI series against South Africa, earning Player of the Series honors with standout performances, including an unbeaten 65 in the Visakhapatnam finale.

This propelled him two places to second on the ICC Men's ODI Batter Rankings, now just eight rating points behind Rohit, who held firm at the summit with 146 runs across the series.

Kohli, dethroned by Babar Azam in April 2021, appears primed for a comeback, with India's next ODIs, a three-match home series against New Zealand starting January 11, set to intensify the intra-team battle for the pinnacle.

Read also: When will Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play together for India again?

Rahul, Kuldeep rose to higher rankings too

KL Rahul also shone, rising two spots to 12th among ODI batters, while left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav leaped three places to third on the ODI bowling charts, reflecting his growing influence in the spin department.

India's dominance extended to T20Is after a thumping 101-run win in the series opener against South Africa in Cuttack.

Axar Patel climbed two rungs to 13th, Arshdeep Singh advanced three to 20th, and Jasprit Bumrah surged six places to 25th on the T20I bowling rankings, rewarding their collective stranglehold on the Proteas' batting lineup.

Proteas players also gained rankings

South Africa players weren't left out despite the 2-1 ODI series loss. Quinton de Kock jumped three places to 13th, Aiden Markram gained four to 25th, and Temba Bavuma rose three to 37th in ODI batting rankings, buoyed by contributions in a high-scoring affair.

In T20Is, young Proteas gun Dewald Brevis rocketed three spots into the top 10 at eighth for batters, signaling his emergence as a future star.

Starc dominated the Test rankings

The rankings ripple extended to Test cricket, where Australia's Mitchell Starc rocketed three places to a career-best third on the bowling list.

Starc's haul of 18 wickets across the first two Ashes Tests against England, including back-to-back Player of the Match awards, marked Australia's continued World Test Championship dominance.

England's Harry Brook slipped two to fourth among Test batters amid batting struggles Down Under, allowing Kane Williamson to second and Steve Smith to third, with Joe Root retaining the top berth.

Further afield, the drawn first Test between New Zealand and the West Indies in Christchurch yielded rankings boosts.

Black Caps' Rachin Ravindra vaulted nine places to 15th, and Tom Latham climbed six to 34th in Test batting, fueled by Latham's second-innings century at Hagley Oval.

West Indies' Shai Hope soared 19 spots to 48th, Justin Greaves gained 16 to 60th, and veteran seamer Kemar Roach advanced five places on the bowling rankings after a seven-wicket match haul that salvaged a draw.

Share