Legendary batter tops charts following stellar ninety-three against New Zealand
Good news has arrived for Odisha cricket fans and Team India supporters worldwide. Indian batting legend Virat Kohli has stormed back to the number one position in the ICC Men's ODI Batting Rankings, reclaiming the throne he last held in July 2021.
Kohli’s return to the summit comes on the heels of a magnificent match-winning performance in the series opener against New Zealand at Vadodara. His classy knock of 93 runs not only guided the 'Men in Blue' to a victory in a tricky 301-run chase but also pushed his rating points to 785. He has now edged past New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, who sits at the second spot with 784 points, by a solitary point.
This latest update marks Kohli's 11th separate stint as the world's premier ODI batter. According to the ICC website, the former captain has already spent a staggering 825 days at the top - the most by any Indian cricketer and the 10th highest in history. It is a remarkable comeback for the 37-year-old, who first achieved the number one ranking back in October 2013.
Kohli has been in sublime touch recently, registering fifty-plus scores in his last seven consecutive One Day Internationals. This purple patch stretches back to the Australia series last year and includes impressive knocks in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His consistency in 2025 was equally formidable, where he amassed 651 runs in just 13 matches at a stunning average of 65.10, finishing as India's leading run-scorer for the calendar year.
The Vadodara ODI also witnessed Kohli shattering significant world records. During his 93-run innings, he became the fastest player in history to cross the 28,000-run mark across all international formats, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. He currently stands as the second-highest run-getter in international cricket with 28,068 runs.
With Team India updates focusing on the upcoming matches, Kohli’s form will be crucial. His performance in the recent ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where he scored 218 runs, proves he remains the backbone of the Indian batting lineup.
With Agency Inputs, Image Source: Milano Cortina 2026
