Star batter Virat Kohli has overtaken teammate Rohit Sharma to reclaim the top position in the ICC Men’s ODI batting rankings, marking yet another milestone in his illustrious career. The veteran, after retiring from the other forms, continues to dictate 50-over cricket. Kohli’s return to the No. 1 spot comes on the back of a consistent run in the 50-over format, where he has continued to anchor India’s batting with trademark control and composure.
The latest rankings update sees him edge past Rohit, who had occupied the #1 spot following a string of prolific performances at the top of the order. He returned to No. 1 ODI ranking after 1,736 days. He claimed it for the first time after losing his spot in the format on April 2, 2021. The 37-year-old gained 12 points to reach 785 rating points, while Rohit lost six points to go from 781 rating points to 775 and slipped to no.3. New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell claimed the second spot following his knock of 84 in the first ODI.
Virat Kohli first reached the top spot of ODI rankings in October 2013 and has spent 825 days as No.1 ODI batter, the most for any Indian.
This shift at the summit reflects Kohli’s sustained excellence in ODIs, a format in which he has long been regarded as one of the greatest batters of all time. Even in the latter phase of his career, he has shown no signs of decline, regularly delivering high-impact performances.
The Delhi cricketer recently went past Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-getter across all formats of all time. He was on a streak of five fifty-plus scores, including two centuries and three fifties. Kohli returned to blue in ODIs against Australia in October 2025. He started with two ducks in Australia, but the talisman came back with a 74* helping India secure a win. He then latched onto the form and struck two centuries and a 65* to go alongside against the Proteas.
𝗡𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗡𝗘 👑
Congratulations to Virat Kohli – the Number One Batter in ICC Men’s ODI Rankings 👏👏#TeamIndia | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/yTWjSQlNb7
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 14, 2026
Kohli’s resurgence at No. 1 also comes at a crucial time, with teams across the world building momentum towards upcoming ICC events. His form and experience are expected to play a central role in India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup, particularly in high-pressure matches where composure and game awareness are at a premium.
The duo’s dominance in rankings reshuffle adds another chapter to the long-standing duo of Kohli and Rohit, two players who have defined India’s modern ODI era. While Rohit continues to dominate with his aggressive strokeplay and record-breaking scores, Kohli’s ability to pace an innings and deliver under pressure remains unmatched.
India
