DUBAI: Virat Kohli’s twin centuries and an unbeaten half-century in the recently concluded ODI series against South Africa have helped him make additional progress in the latest ICC Men's ODI Player Rankings and get closer to replacing teammate Rohit Sharma as the No. 1 ODI batter.
Kohli has not attained the No.1 ranking since Pakistan’s Babar Azam overtook him in April 2021. However, he is now nearing the top position again, thanks to his excellent performances at home. The 37-year-old was named Player of the Series for scoring 302 runs in three matches, and he was rewarded with a rise in the latest rankings, moving up two places to second overall behind teammate Rohit.
Rohit scored a total of 146 runs throughout the series, securing his position at the top of the rankings. Meanwhile, Kohli narrowed the gap to within eight points, thanks to his unbeaten 65 not out in the series finale in Visakhapatnam. India's upcoming ODIs include a three-match series against New Zealand at home starting from January 11. All attention will be on Kohli and Rohit as they compete to secure the top position in the ODI rankings.