Kohli reclaims ODI throne after four-year wait

Bangla Press Desk:  Virat Kohli has stormed back to the top of the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings for the first time since July 2021, dislodging team-mate Rohit Sharma after a match-winning 93 off 91 balls against New Zealand in Vadodara on Sunday.

It marks the 11th time Kohli has occupied the No.1 position, underlining his enduring dominance in the format. The former India captain’s surge has been powered by scores of 135, 102 and 65 not out against South Africa at home in November–December, followed by a fluent 74 not out against Australia in Sydney in October.

In other ODI updates, New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell has also overtaken Sharma after scores of 84, with just 10 rating points separating the top three batters.

In the ICC Men’s Test Rankings, Australia’s Travis Head and Steve Smith climbed to third and fourth following first-innings centuries in the final Ashes Test. Joe Root strengthened his grip on the top batting spot, while Mitchell Starc surged to third among bowlers after a 31-wicket series.

BP/SP