ICC Rankings Update: The Ro-Ko Battle for ICC ODI No. 1, Kohli Jumps to No. 2, 8 Points Behind Rohit

The Ro-Ko Showdown: Virat Kohli Closes In on Rohit Sharma for ICC ODI No. 1

ICC Rankings Update: The latest update to the ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings, released today, has set the stage for one of the most compelling individual battles in world cricket: the fight for the No. 1 spot between India’s two titans, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Kohli, the former long-time No. 1, has made a sensational leap, propelled by his phenomenal series performance against South Africa, and is now breathing down the neck of his captain, Rohit Sharma, who currently holds the top position.

The Battle for No. 1: Rohit Sharma vs. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli’s recent three-match ODI series against South Africa was nothing short of vintage. Amassing a commanding 302 runs across the series, including two centuries (135 and 102) and an unbeaten 65* in the final match, Kohli was rightfully crowned the Player of the Series.

This dominant display has resulted in a massive surge for the 37-year-old, who has jumped two places to claim the No. 2 position in the ODI Batting Rankings.

The current standings show an agonizingly close battle for the summit:

• No. 1: Rohit Sharma – 781 rating points

• No. 2: Virat Kohli – 773 rating points

The gap between the two Indian superstars is a mere 8 rating points. This marks Kohli’s closest approach to the No. 1 spot since he was displaced by Pakistan’s Babar Azam in April 2021.

Rohit Sharma, who secured the No. 1 ranking after his own Player of the Series performance against Australia previously, has retained his lead after contributing a steady 146 runs in the recent series against the Proteas. The fact that the top two ODI batters in the world now belong to India is a symbolic statement of the team’s current white-ball dominance.

The next major ODI assignment for India—a three-match home series against New Zealand starting on January 11—will be the immediate arena for the ‘RO-KO’ battle, where a single big century from either player could be enough to crown a new world No. 1.

Other Indian Gainers Across Formats

The ranking changes were not limited to the ODI batting charts, with several Indian and international players making noteworthy moves across all three formats.

ODI Bowling and Batting Rises

• Kuldeep Yadav was the biggest winner in the ODI bowling charts, rising three spots to reach No. 3 overall. His match-winning figures of 4 for 41 in the series decider against South Africa cemented his position as one of the world’s premier wrist-spinners.

• KL Rahul, who was the stand-in captain for a part of the series, also made good progress, moving up two places to 12th overall on the ODI batting list.

• South African players also benefited, with Quinton de Kock (up three to 13th) and Aiden Markram (up four to 25th) making gains despite the series defeat.

T20I Rewards

Following India’s comprehensive 101-run victory in the first T20I against South Africa, several Indian bowlers were rewarded:

• Axar Patel moved up two spots to 13th.

• Arshdeep Singh climbed three places to 20th.

• Jasprit Bumrah made an impressive jump of six rungs to 25th overall.

• South African young star Dewald Brevis moved up three places to enter the T20I Batters’ Top 10 at 8th.

Test Rankings: Starc and Ravindra Surge

• Mitchell Starc was the standout mover in the Test Bowling Rankings, leaping three spots to a new career-best No. 3 overall after his stellar 18-wicket haul in the first two Ashes Tests against England.

• Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj both moved up one place to 13th and 12th respectively, consolidating India’s strong presence in the top 15 Test bowlers.

• In the Test batting list, New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra made a huge gain, climbing nine spots to 15th following his century in the drawn Test against the West Indies.

• Indian Bowlers Climb: Indian bowlers Mohammad Siraj (12th), Ravindra Jadeja (13th), and Kuldeep Yadav (14th) all moved up one spot, further consolidating their positions.

• Batting: Yashasvi Jaiswal remains the top-ranked Indian Test batter at No. 8.

The latest ICC rankings underline India’s deep bench strength across formats, but all eyes remain fixed on the ODI chart, where the next series against New Zealand will likely decide whether Rohit Sharma can hold off a resurgent Virat Kohli.

Conclusion: A New Chapter in an Iconic Rivalry

The latest ICC rankings update has done more than just reshuffle numbers — it has reignited one of cricket’s most celebrated rivalries. Kohli’s major leap has narrowed the gap, while Rohit’s sustained brilliance keeps him in a dominant position.

As both Indian superstars chase the No. 1 spot, fans are set to witness an exciting, high-voltage, respectful rivalry that continues to define a golden era of Indian cricket.

The RO-KO battle is back, and it’s bigger, bolder, and more thrilling than ever.