Virat Kohli closes in on Shubman Gill at top of ICC ODI rankings
Virat Kohli has closed in on Shubman Gill at the top of the ICC ODI batting rankings after his unbeaten 139 against West Indies in the series opener. The former India captain has moved to No.2 with 796 rating points, just 20 behind Gill, who strengthened his position at the summit with 816 points.
Kohli’s latest jump comes after a landmark innings in Thiruvananthapuram, where he scored his 55th ODI century and crossed 15,000 runs in the format. His 139 not out off 88 balls helped India chase down 296 with 50 balls to spare, while Gill also hit a century in the same game.
IND vs WI, 2nd ODI: UPDATES
The latest rankings movement also adds another chapter to Kohli’s relationship with the No.1 spot. He returned to the top earlier this year after more than four years away from the summit, before slipping back down the order, and his latest surge has now taken him ahead of Daryl Mitchell, who sits third on 794 points. Kohli’s current rating is also his highest since July 2022.
The timing is significant with the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching. India have already secured their place in the tournament, which will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, while Kohli has confirmed that the 2027 edition will be his final World Cup for India. With his focus now solely on ODI cricket, the next year will be an important period for Kohli as India build towards the tournament.
CURRENT ODI BATTING RANKINGS
- Shubman Gill (India) – 816
- Virat Kohli (India) – 796
- Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand) – 794
- Rohit Sharma (India) – 719
- Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan) – 719
- Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 689
Kohli’s 29-point rise has brought him within touching distance of Gill, while Mitchell is only two points behind the India star. Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis has also climbed to a career-best seventh after his 121 against England, while Harry Brook has moved up to 11th.
KOHLI’S LONG ROAD BACK TO NO.1
Kohli’s latest push towards the summit is notable because he had already ended a four-year wait to reclaim the top ranking earlier this year. He returned to No.1 in January after scoring 93 against New Zealand in Vadodara, marking his 11th stint at the top of the ODI rankings.
The return came after an excellent sequence of scores, including 74 not out, 135, 102 and 65 not out before the 93 against New Zealand. However, his stay at the summit was brief, with Daryl Mitchell subsequently moving ahead of him after a strong run against India.
Kohli’s current resurgence has therefore come after another period outside the top spot. His 139 against West Indies has pushed him back to second, and another significant innings in the ongoing series could further alter the gap between him and Gill.
RECORD CHASE ADDS TO THE PLOT
The rankings battle comes as India face an enormous challenge in the second ODI in Guwahati. West Indies have posted 405/7, with John Campbell, Shai Hope and Amir Jangoo all scoring centuries, leaving India needing 406 to win.
That would be India’s highest successful ODI chase. Their current record is 362/1 against Australia in Jaipur in 2013, meaning India need to better that mark by 44 runs to win the second ODI and take an unassailable lead in the series.
Kohli’s unbeaten 139 in the first ODI has already given India a template for the kind of contribution they may need again. Another substantial innings would not only strengthen India’s record-chase attempt but could also bring Kohli closer to Gill when the rankings are updated next.
2027 WORLD CUP LOOMS LARGE
There is an added layer to Kohli’s current ODI run because the 2027 World Cup will be his final appearance for India in the tournament. Kohli confirmed that the South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia-hosted World Cup will be his last, with the 37-year-old now concentrating exclusively on the 50-over format after retiring from Tests and T20Is.
India have already qualified for the 2027 tournament through the ODI rankings, joining Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh and Afghanistan among the teams securing direct qualification.
That makes Kohli’s current run particularly relevant beyond the rankings. With the World Cup less than 14 months away, his return to form, his battle with Gill for the No.1 position and his ability to produce defining ODI innings will remain major storylines as India shape their plans for the tournament.
– Ends
