In a truly historic achievement, Indian batting stalwart Rohit Sharma has claimed the No. 1 position in the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings, becoming the oldest player to ever reach this prestigious milestone. At 38 years and 182 days, Sharma has reached the summit of ODI batting for the very first time, overtaking his teammate Shubman Gill in the latest rankings update.
This remarkable ascent is a direct result of Sharma’s exceptional batting performances in the recent India-Australia ODI series. His sublime unbeaten 121 in the final match at Sydney, coupled with a significant 73 in the preceding game at Adelaide, provided the vital runs and rating points needed to secure the top spot. These innings were instrumental not only in India’s series triumph but also in Sharma’s personal crowning achievement.
Rohit Sharma now becomes the fifth Indian batsman to be recognized as the world’s best ODI player, adding his name to a list of legends that includes Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill. This distinction highlights his consistency, class, and lasting influence on the game over many years.
The latest rankings also reflect changes for other key Indian players. Shubman Gill, who held the top rank prior to this week, has seen his rating dip, placing him at third. Virat Kohli has also moved down a spot to sixth, despite a notable innings. On the brighter side, Shreyas Iyer has made a commendable climb into the top 10, now ranked ninth, showcasing the impressive depth of India’s batting order.