At 38, Rohit Sharma might be in the twilight of his cricketing career, but the Indian skipper continues to prove why age is just a number. Despite not featuring for India since March, Rohit has climbed the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings, reclaiming the No. 2 spot with 756 points. This rise came after the ICC reshuffled the top order, with Babar Azam slipping to third following a modest series against the West Indies, where he managed only 56 runs in three ODIs.
Shubman Gill retains the No. 1 position with 784 points, setting up an exciting Indian dominance at the top. Rohit Sharma’s career-best ODI ranking of 882 points came during the 2019 World Cup, when he scripted history with a record-breaking fifth century in a single edition.
Alongside Rohit and Gill, Virat Kohli holds the No. 4 spot, Shreyas Iyer sits at No. 8, and KL Rahul occupies No. 15 — underlining India’s batting strength across formats. This rankings boost is perfectly timed for Rohit, who is preparing for a high-profile return to international cricket. His last competitive outing was in the IPL 2025, followed by his announcement to retire from Test cricket in May.
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Initially slated to make his comeback in August during India’s Bangladesh tour, the postponement of the series has pushed his return to October, when India face Australia in a three-match ODI series across Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney, beginning October 19. For Rohit, this marks the start of a crucial run leading up to the 2027 World Cup — a race against time for the veteran opener.
Rohit Sharma goes past Babar Azam as he rises to No. 2 in the latest ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings while Shubman Gill retains the No. 1 spot and Virat Kohli stays fourth.
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Fans have been buzzing with excitement over his impending return, flooding social media with posts and tributes to the “Hitman.” The anticipation is palpable, especially as he reunites with long-time teammate Virat Kohli for the Australian challenge.
Meanwhile, speculation about Rohit’s ODI captaincy has been circulating. Reports suggest that Shubman Gill, who impressed with his leadership in the England Test series, could be a contender for the role.
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However, the BCCI has not confirmed any changes, with current focus on finalising the squad for the 2025 Asia Cup and preparing for India’s T20 World Cup title defence on home soil next year. Whether as captain or senior statesman, Rohit Sharma’s presence promises to be a major boost for India — and his climb back to No. 2 in the world is proof that the “Hitman” still has plenty of ammunition left.
