The International Cricket Council (ICC) has explained why Indian mainstays Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have suddenly disappeared from the latest ODI batting rankings. Fans were taken aback on Wednesday, August 20, when the two were nowhere to be found in the revised charts.
The absence of the two modern-day greats fuelled wild speculation on social media, with many wondering if Rohit and Kohli were about to declare their retirement from the 50-over game. Both players had already said goodbye to T20Is and Tests earlier this year, raising more fears among fans.
However, much to the relief of Indian supporters, the ICC quickly reinstated both names in the rankings
. In a statement, the governing body stated that the brief disappearance was caused by a technical malfunction, as well as a few other issues with the update. The clarification puts an end to uncertainty about Rohit and Kohli’s ODI futures, as the two players remain vital to India’s aspirations in the format.
“A number of issues in this week’s rankings are currently being investigated,” said the ICC to Wisden.com.
Rohit is now placed second among ODI batters in the ICC rankings, with Virat Kohli in fourth place. Both were last seen playing in the IPL 2025 season for the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), respectively. Rohit did not add to his five IPL wins as MI was eliminated in the second qualifier, whereas Kohli won his first IPL trophy with RCB, defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final.
The duo last played ODIs for India in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai, where they helped India win their first ICC ODI title since 2013. Rohit, India’s current ODI captain, was voted Player of the Match in the final against New Zealand, hitting 76 off 83 balls. Kohli was solid throughout the tournament, finishing as the fifth-highest run-scorer with 218 runs at an average of 54.50 and 82.88 strike rate.
Both Rohit and Kohli resigned from T20Is after India won the 2024 T20 World Cup, and they announced their Test retirements in May, ahead of the recently finished England tour.
India’s next ODI series will be a three-match series against Australia, which begins on October 19, and both players are anticipated to play.
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