The recent release of the ICC ODI batting rankings saw a significant anomaly: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were missing. This unexpected development, which occurred on Wednesday, puzzled cricket fans worldwide. With both players previously holding high positions – No. 2 and No. 4 respectively – their absence from the top 100 was a cause for immediate concern and discussion.
The disappearance of the Indian batting stalwarts triggered speculation about whether it was an intentional alteration or a technical fault.
Kohli and Sharma have retired from the Test and T20 formats and now only play ODIs. Their last ODI appearance was during the ICC Champions Trophy in UAE in February 2025, where India was victorious. Prior to the update, Rohit Sharma was ranked second, with Shubman Gill ahead, and Kohli was in fourth. The revised rankings now show Babar Azam in the position previously held by Rohit Sharma.
Without an official explanation from the ICC, the situation fueled speculation that it was a system error. Later, an ICC spokesperson admitted that an error had been made in the rankings, which has been corrected, returning both Kohli and Sharma to their positions.