Virat Kohli’s pursuit to reclaim the top spot in the ODI player rankings has gained momentum following his outstanding performance in the recent ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Kohli, who scored 765 runs, secured the tournament’s best batting performance, elevating him to third place in the latest MRF Tyres ODI Player Rankings. This achievement brings him within 35 rating points of teammate Shubman Gill, who currently holds the top position with 826 rating points, closely followed by Pakistan’s Babar Azam at 824.
Kohli’s remarkable World Cup display, where he reached triple figures three times, allowed him to surpass former teammate Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most ODI centuries. Alongside Kohli, India’s captain Rohit Sharma climbed to fourth place, scoring 769 rating points after finishing as one of the tournament’s leading run-scorers with 597 runs.
The combined efforts of Kohli and Rohit, coupled with Gill’s and Babar’s comparatively modest performances, have intensified the race for the top spot in the rankings. Previously holding the No.1 ranking for an impressive 1258 consecutive days between 2017 and 2021, Kohli aims to regain his premier position, with Rohit also closing in.
The impact of the World Cup is evident beyond individual rankings, as South Africa’s Quinton de Kock drops to fifth place, and New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell rises to sixth after an impressive World Cup performance. Australia’s Travis Head makes a significant leap of 28 places to 15th in the rankings following his outstanding century and Player of the Match performance in the World Cup final.
In the bowling department, South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj retains the top spot, while Australia’s Josh Hazlewood rises to second place. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins also make notable advancements after their successful World Cup campaign.
Within the top 10 ODI bowlers, India’s Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah maintain strong positions, with Kuldeep Yadav dropping one spot to equal sixth. Despite minimal changes in the top 10 all-rounders, Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan continues to lead the rankings, with Mitchell Santner and Mehidy Hasan Miraz experiencing minor adjustments.
