Virat Kohli’s remarkable late-career resurgence added another chapter on Wednesday as the former India captain surged to No. 2 in the ICC ODI batting rankings, moving within striking distance of teammate Rohit Sharma. After a stunning one-day series against South Africa, Kohli climbed two spots and now sits just eight rating points behind Rohit—his closest approach to the top since April 2021, when Pakistan’s Babar Azam ended his long reign at No. 1.
At 37, Kohli continues to redefine longevity in modern cricket. His performances in the recently concluded three-match ODI series were nothing short of vintage. He amassed 302 runs, finishing comfortably as Player of the Series. Back-to-back centuries in Ranchi (135) and Guwahati (102) showcased his sharper-than-ever rhythm, while his unbeaten 65 in Visakhapatnam sealed the series in style.
More importantly, it cemented his position inside the top two—a space he once dominated with unshakeable consistency. Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, retained the No. 1 spot, thanks to a steady 146-run contribution over the series. While Kohli’s brilliance naturally drew greater attention, Rohit’s reliability ensured that India now holds the top two ODI batting positions—reminiscent of their peak years when they routinely occupied the same real estate in global rankings.
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Shubman Gill, who was rested for the series, held firm at No. 5, highlighting India’s strong top-order structure. KL Rahul, leading in Rohit’s absence during parts of the year, climbed two places to No. 12 following calm, composed knocks that have defined his resurgence in limited-overs cricket.
India’s dominance extended to the bowling charts as well. Kuldeep Yadav, enjoying one of the most productive years of his career, rose three spots to No. 3 among ODI bowlers. His control, variation, and ability to break partnerships were central to India’s success against South Africa, reinforcing his reputation as one of the world’s finest wrist-spinners.
🚨 ICC ODI BATTERS RANKING 🚨
1) 38-year-old Rohit Sharma – 781 rating.
2) 37-year-old Virat Kohli – 773 rating.
THE GOAT DUO OF ODI CRICKET 🐐 pic.twitter.com/1dhP4mITYk
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 10, 2025
South Africa also found positives. Quinton de Kock jumped three places to No. 13, Aiden Markram rose to 25th, and captain Temba Bavuma climbed to 37th—each rewarded for their contributions in a competitive series.
The latest T20I rankings added more cheer for Indian fans. Axar Patel climbed to 13th among bowlers, Arshdeep Singh moved to 20th, and Jasprit Bumrah jumped six spots to 25th following India’s emphatic 101-run win in the opening T20I in Cuttack.
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In Tests, India’s presence remained equally strong. Yashasvi Jaiswal held firm at No. 8, with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant moving to 11th and 13th, respectively. Among bowlers, Mitchell Starc grabbed headlines by leaping to No. 3 after consecutive Ashes heroics—slotting in behind No. 1 Jasprit Bumrah. India’s Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav all rose a place, tightening India’s grip on the top tier of Test bowling.
Kohli’s resurgence—nearly four years after he last ruled as the world’s best ODI batter—adds a gripping narrative to India’s buildup toward a packed 2026 white-ball calendar. With multiple Indian players rising across formats, the team’s depth has never looked stronger.
