Virat Kohli closes in on Rohit Sharma in latest ICC ODI rankings; India star reaps rewards for standout show against SA

Virat Kohli has surged closer to fellow batter Rohit Sharma in the updated ODI Rankings released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday.

Kohli, who now focuses solely on the ODI format after retiring from Tests and T20Is, delivered a superb performance in the recently concluded home series against South Africa. He scored 302 runs in three matches, including two back-to-back hundreds, helping India win the series 2-1.

Following these batting heroics, Kohli jumped two spots to secure the second position, right behind the number one ranked Rohit Sharma. Kohli was also named Player of the Series for his exceptional run. 

Rohit, meanwhile, strengthened his top position by contributing 146 runs in three innings, including two fifties. Only eight rating points now separate the two star players.

Wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul also made gains, rising two spots to 12th overall.

Kuldeep Yadav biggest gainer among Indian bowlers

Among the bowlers, left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav was the biggest gainer in the latest ICC ODI Rankings for bowlers. Kuldeep, who finished as the highest wicket-taker with nine scalps, rose three spots to third.

Among the latest ICC Rankings T20I rankings, the trio of India bowlers - Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah - were rewarded after India's 101-run win over the Proteas in the first of the five-match series.

While Axar jumped two spots to 13th, Arshdeep rose three spots to 20th. Bumrah, who reached his 100 T20I wickets, gained six places to be at 25th.

What's next for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli?

With India playing no more ODIs in 2025, both Rohit and Kohli will be seen next year in a three-match ODI series against New Zealand. The Kiwis will tour India in January 2026 for three ODIs and five T20Is. While the ODI series starts on 11 January, the T20I series begins 10 days later.

The last time Kohli held the top spot in the ODI batting rankings was in 2021 before he was displaced by Pakistan's Babar Azam. If Kohli maintains his current form, it may be only a matter of time before the former Indian captain returns to the top of the ladder after five years.