Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Feb 26: Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli has stormed back into the top five of the ICC Men's ODI Batting Rankings after a scintillating century against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Kohli’s masterful knock—his 51st ODI ton—was the highlight of India's emphatic victory over their arch-rivals in Dubai. His dominant performance has propelled him one spot higher to reclaim the No. 5 ranking, reaffirming his stature among the world’s elite batters.
With this latest update, India now has a formidable presence in the top five of the ODI rankings, with opener Shubman Gill holding firm at No. 1 and captain Rohit Sharma maintaining his position at No. 3. Gill has further solidified his top spot, extending his lead over former Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who remains in second place despite a lackluster Champions Trophy campaign.
Kohli is the only batter inside the top 10 to make a significant jump, but several rising stars have made notable strides just outside the elite bracket. New Zealand’s Will Young has surged eight places to 14th, while England’s Ben Duckett (up 27 spots to joint 17th) and New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra (up 18 places to 24th) have gained ground following their impressive centuries in the tournament.
India’s KL Rahul (up two spots to 15th) and South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen (up three places to 16th) are also closing in on the top 10, intensifying the competition among the world’s best batters.
Bowlers on the Rise
In the bowling rankings, Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana continues to hold the No. 1 position despite his team’s absence from the Champions Trophy. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan remains his closest challenger at No. 2.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj (up one place to fourth), New Zealand’s Matt Henry (up two places to sixth), and Australia’s Adam Zampa (up two places to 10th) have all climbed higher in the rankings. Among the biggest movers, South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada has jumped four spots to 16th, while New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell has made a stunning leap of 31 places to 26th.
All-Rounders Making an Impact
Bracewell’s recent exploits also saw him make a significant climb in the all-rounders’ rankings, jumping 26 places to No. 11 after his four-wicket haul against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. His teammate Rachin Ravindra (up six places to 15th) also made notable gains in this category.
Despite the shifts in rankings, Afghanistan’s veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi continues to dominate the all-rounders' standings, holding firm at the No. 1 spot.
As the Champions Trophy 2025 progresses, cricket fans can expect more rankings shakeups as top performers continue to make their mark on the global stage.