Virat Kohli closes in on Shubman Gill at the top of the ICC ODI rankings

Virat Kohli has overtaken Shubman Gill at the top of the ICC ODI batting charts after his unbeaten 139 against West Indies in the series opener. The former India captain moved to second place with 796 rating points, just 20 behind Gill, who consolidated his position at the top with 816 points.

Kohli’s latest leap comes after a landmark innings in Thiruvananthapuramwhere he scored his 55th ODI century and crossed 15,000 runs in the format. His 139 not out off 88 balls helped India chase down 296 with 50 balls to spare, while Gill also hit a century in the same game.

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The latest ranking movement also adds another chapter to Kohli’s relationship with the No.1 spot. After more than four years away from the top, he returned to the top earlier this year before falling back in the standings and his latest rise has now put him ahead of Daryl Mitchell, who is third on 794 points. Kohli’s current rating is also his highest since July 2022.

The timing is significant with the 2027 ODI World Cup looming. India have already secured their place in the tournament, which will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, while Kohli has confirmed that 2027 will be his last World Cup for India. With his focus now only on ODI cricket, next year will be an important period for Kohli as India progress towards the tournament.

CURRENT ODI BURNING ORDER

Shubman Gill (India) – 816
Virat Kohli (India) – 796
Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand) – 794
Rohit Sharma (India) – 719
Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan) – 719
Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 689

Kohli’s 29-point surge brought him within touching distance of Gill, while Mitchell is only two points behind the India star. Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis also climbed to a career-best seventh after his 121 against England, while Harry Brook moved up to 11th.

KOHLI’S LONG ROAD BACK TO NO.1

Kohli’s latest run towards the summit is notable as he ended a four-year wait to regain the top ranking earlier this year. He returned to No.1 in January after scoring 93 against New Zealand in Vadodara, marking his 11th stint at the top of the ODI rankings.

The comeback came after an excellent sequence of scores, including 74 not out, 135, 102 and 65 not out before 93 against New Zealand. However, his stay at the summit was short-lived and Daryl Mitchell subsequently moved ahead of him after a strong attack on India.

Hence, Kohli’s current resurgence has come after another period outside the top spot. His 139 against West Indies moved him back to second place and another significant innings in the ongoing series could further change the gap between him and Gill.

RECORD CHASE ADDS TO FULFILLMENT

The ratings battle comes as India face a huge challenge in the second ODI in Guwahati. West Indies posted 405/7 with John Campbell, Shai Hope and Amir Jangoo scoring centuries, leaving India needing 406 to win.

That would be India’s most successful chase in ODIs. Their current record is 362/1 against Australia in Jaipur in 2013, which means India need to better that mark by 44 runs to win the second ODI and take an unassailable lead in the series.

Kohli’s unbeaten 139 in the first ODI has already provided India with the template for the kind of contribution they may need again. Another substantial innings would not only boost India’s attempt at a record chase, but could also bring Kohli closer to Gill when the rankings are next updated.

WORLD CUP 2027 IS BIG

Kohli’s current ODI run has another layer as the 2027 World Cup will be his last appearance for India in the tournament. Kohli has confirmed that the South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia World Cup will be his last, with the 37-year-old now focusing solely on the 50-over format after retiring from Tests and T20Is.

India have already qualified for the 2027 tournament through the ODI rankings, joining the direct qualifying teams Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

This makes Kohli’s current run particularly relevant outside the charts. With the World Cup less than 14 months away, his return to form, his battle with Gill for the No.1 position and his ability to produce defining ODI innings will remain the main storylines as India shape their plans for the tournament.

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