Overview:
He piled up 302 runs in three games at an average of 151 and a strike rate of 117.05, with back-to-back hundreds in Ranchi and Raipur.
Virat Kohli has edged closer to the No.1 ODI ranking, sitting just eight points behind Rohit Sharma. The ICC rankings released on Wednesday (December 10) show Kohli climbing to No.2, with Daryl Mitchell and Ibrahim Zadran pushed down to No.3 and No.4.
Kohli’s surge came following an impressive ODI series against South Africa, where he bagged Player of the Series as India sealed the assignment 2-1. He piled up 302 runs in three games at an average of 151 and a strike rate of 117.05, with back-to-back hundreds in Ranchi and Raipur.
The last time Kohli held the No.1 ODI ranking was March 2021, before Babar Azam surpassed him to claim the top spot. Rohit’s 146-run series ensured he stayed at No.1, but Kohli inched closer after finishing unbeaten on 65 in the series finale in Visakhapatnam.
Kuldeep Yadav also enjoyed a rankings boost, climbing three places to No.3 in the ODI bowling standings. Rashid Khan continues to sit at No.1, with Jofra Archer next in line at No.2.
Kuldeep topped India’s wicket charts in the ODI series against South Africa, picking up nine scalps in three games at an economy of 6.23. He saved his best for the decider, returning with figures of 10-1-41-4.
The all-rounders’ ODI rankings continue to be topped by Azmatullah Omarzai, with Sikandar Raza placed second. Mohammad Nabi and Mehidy Hasan Miraz are third and fourth in the standings.
Virat and Rohit will play in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy after the BCCI made it mandatory for the players to compete in domestic tournaments. They have already retired from T20Is and Test cricket, and concerns exist about their fitness and availability ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. Kohli and Rohit have already informed DDCA and MCA about their intention to represent the domestic teams.
Their next ODI assignment will be a home ODI series against New Zealand next year.