In a significant development just days before a crucial home series, Indian cricket stalwart Rohit Sharma has reclaimed his position at the pinnacle of international one-day cricket. The veteran opener has surged back to the No.1 spot in the latest ICC ODI batting rankings, reaffirming his class and consistency.
A Change at the Top
Rohit Sharma overtook New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell, who was forced to slip down the charts. Mitchell's descent came after he missed the final two ODIs in the Black Caps' recent 3-0 series sweep against the West Indies. This absence proved costly, as it led to a dip in his rating points, creating the perfect opening for the Indian batsman to leapfrog him. This resurgence establishes Rohit as the world's leading ODI batter heading into the high-profile three-match series against South Africa, set to begin in Ranchi on Sunday.
Movements Across Formats
The latest ICC update was not limited to the ODI arena, with significant movements witnessed across all three formats of the game. In the ODI batting ranks, New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra enjoyed a rise, moving up one place to 12th, while his teammate Devon Conway climbed to 31st position. West Indies captain Shai Hope broke into the top ten, securing the eighth spot following his unbeaten century in the second ODI against New Zealand.
The T20I format saw a new leader emerge as Zimbabwe's seasoned all-rounder, Sikandar Raza, achieved a career first by becoming the No.1-ranked T20I all-rounder. His sharp all-round performances in the ongoing tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Pakistan propelled him past Pakistan's Saim Ayub. This milestone caps a remarkable late-career surge for Raza, who has maintained a presence in the top 10 across formats since 2022.
In Test cricket, players from Australia and Bangladesh reaped rewards after commanding victories in Perth and Mirpur, respectively. Australia's Travis Head, following his fourth-innings heroics, climbed to sixth among Test batters. Meanwhile, pace spearhead Mitchell Starc jumped to fifth in the Test bowling rankings. For Bangladesh, batsmen Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, and Mominul Haque all recorded healthy bumps in their rankings after their team's massive 217-run victory over Ireland.
A Milestone Week for the Hitman
Rohit Sharma's ascent in the rankings coincides with a major off-field accolade. The International Cricket Council announced the 37-year-old as the official ambassador for the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Having retired from T20 Internationals after lifting the 2024 T20 World Cup trophy, Sharma remains one of the most recognizable figures in world cricket, with a staggering 1,220 runs scored across nine editions of the T20 World Cup.
