Kohli Closes in on No. 1 ODI Ranking

December 10, 2025

Dubai: Virat Kohli’s twin centuries and unbeaten half-century in the ODI series against South Africa have pushed him closer to overtaking Rohit Sharma as the No. 1 ODI batter in the latest ICC rankings. Kohli, who last held the top spot in April 2021 before being surpassed by Pakistan’s Babar Azam, scored 302 runs in three matches and was named Player of the Series. His performance helped him climb two spots to No. 2, just eight points behind Rohit. India’s next ODI assignment begins January 11 against New Zealand, where all eyes will be on the race between Rohit and Kohli for the top ranking.

Other India and South Africa Players Gain

KL Rahul also made progress, moving up two spots to 12th in ODI batting rankings, while Kuldeep Yadav rose three places to No. 3 among ODI bowlers — the biggest jump by an Indian player this week. For South Africa, Quinton de Kock climbed to 13th, Aiden Markram moved to 25th, and Temba Bavuma improved to 37th despite the series loss.

Changes in T20I and Test Rankings

In T20Is, South Africa’s Dewald Brevis entered the top 10 after rising three places to eighth. India’s bowlers also advanced after their 101-run win in Cuttack — Axar Patel climbed to 13th, Arshdeep Singh to 20th, and Jasprit Bumrah to 25th.

In Test rankings, Australia’s Mitchell Starc surged three spots to third after winning back-to-back Player of the Match awards in the Ashes with 18 wickets in two Tests. New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra jumped nine places to 15th after a strong performance against West Indies, while Tom Latham rose six places to 34th. West Indies duo Shai Hope and Justin Greaves also climbed the Test batting ladder, and Kemar Roach improved five places among bowlers after taking seven wickets.