Dubai, Dec 10 (UNI) India’s Virat Kohli continued his resurgence in One-Day Internationals, rising two places to No.2 in the latest ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings released on Wednesday, just eight points behind top-ranked Rohit Sharma.
According to the International Cricket Council (ICC) website, Kohli, 37, amassed 302 runs in India’s 2–1 ODI series win over South Africa and was named Player of the Series. His unbeaten 65 in the Visakhapatnam finale helped him close in on Rohit, who retained his No.1 position after scoring 146 runs across the three matches.
India’s next ODI series, a three-match assignment against New Zealand at home starting January 11, is expected to intensify the battle between Rohit and Kohli for the top spot.
KL Rahul also made noteworthy gains, moving up two places to 12th among ODI batters, while left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav climbed three positions to third in the ODI bowlers’ rankings.
South Africa trio Quinton de Kock (up three rungs to 13th), Aiden Markram (up four places to 25th), and Temba Bavuma (up three spots to 37th) also made gains on the rankings for ODI batters despite the fact India won a high-scoring series 2-1.
South Africa’s Dewald Brevis reached a career-high No.8 among T20I batters after the opening match of the series in Cuttack. Among bowlers, India’s Axar Patel (13th), Arshdeep Singh (20th), and Jasprit Bumrah (25th) all gained following India’s 101-run win.
Australia’s Mitchell Starc surged three places to a career-best No.3 among Test bowlers after back-to-back Player of the Match performances in the first two Ashes Tests, where he has already collected 18 wickets.
England’s Harry Brook slipped two spots to fourth among Test batters due to his lean run, while Kane Williamson and Steve Smith rose to second and third respectively behind leader Joe Root.
New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra made the week’s biggest jump, climbing nine places to 15th after his strong showing in the drawn Test against the West Indies in Christchurch. Teammate Tom Latham rose six spots to 34th following his second-innings century.
West Indies duo Shai Hope (up 19 places to equal 48th) and Justin Greaves (up 16 rungs to 60th) also make ground on the rankings for Test batters following their efforts on the final day in Christchurch, while veteran quick Kemar Roach gains five spots on the list for Test bowlers after his seven scalps for the match.
