Two legendary white-ball batters of the Indian team, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, are now the top two-ranked batters in the latest update of the ICC ODI batting rankings, released on December 10, 2025.
Rohit Sharma was already the no. 1-ranked ODI batter, and Virat Kohli has joined him at no. 2, thanks to the recent India v. South Africa ODI series.
Kohli hasn't been the No. 1 ODI hitter since Pakistan's Babar Azam dethroned him in April 2021, but the right-hander is closing in on the top rank again after his outstanding performance for India in the three-match ODI series against South Africa.
The 37-year-old was named Player of the Series for his 302 runs across three matches, including two centuries and one fifty, and was rewarded in the latest rankings, moving up two places to second overall behind teammate Rohit Sharma.
Rohit collected 146 runs in the series to maintain his lead in the rankings, with Kohli closing to within eight rating points following his undefeated innings of 65 not out in the series finale in Visakhapatnam.
India's next ODIs are a three-match series against New Zealand at home beginning on January 11, with all eyes on Kohli and Rohit as they compete for the top spot among ODI batters.
Not only did Kohli make significant progress on this week's new rankings, but colleague KL Rahul also made noteworthy advancements for ODI batters.
The left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav moved up three spots to third place in the list for ODI bowlers, while the wicketkeeper-batter moved up two spaces to 12th overall.
South African players also gained much in the latest ODI rankings, with Quinton de Kock (up three rungs to 13th), Aiden Markram (up four places to 25th), and Temba Bavuma (up three spots to 37th) being the notable movers.
The first T20I between India and South Africa, which the hosts won by 101 runs, saw movement as well. Following their dominant 101-run victory in Cuttack, Axar Patel (up two slots to 13th), Arshdeep Singh (up three places to 20th), and Jasprit Bumrah (up six rungs to 25th) have all made considerable ground in the revised T20I bowling rankings.
(ICC inputs)
