India captain Rohit Sharma continues to stand tall at the top of the ICC ODI batting rankings, but the gap between him and Virat Kohli has narrowed significantly following a dominant showing from the veteran duo in the recently concluded South Africa series.
The three-match contest turned into a stage for India's most celebrated batters, with both Rohit and Kohli producing vintage performances that have reignited the race for ODI supremacy.
Rohit, who struck a fluent 75 off 73 balls in the series finale and aggregated 146 runs overall, remains No. 1 with a slender lead over Kohli. The Indian skipper's consistency ensured he stayed ahead, but the pressure is mounting. Kohli, who compiled a remarkable 302 runs across the three ODIs-including back-to-back
hundreds and a brisk unbeaten 65-has surged two spots to regain the No. 2 position with 773 rating points. The difference between the two modern-day giants now stands at just eight points.
Kohli last held the top ODI ranking in April 2021, before being overtaken by Pakistan's Babar Azam. While he has flirted with the No. 1 spot several times since, this is the closest he has been in years. More importantly, his recent form signals a renewed push to reclaim the position he dominated for nearly a decade.
With India's next ODI assignment-a three-match home series against New Zealand beginning January 11-both Rohit and Kohli will once again be under the spotlight as they compete not just for team success but for individual supremacy.
Their resurgence also comes amid ongoing discussions about the future roles of senior players in India's long-term plans. Although Rohit and Kohli have reiterated their commitment to playing the 2027 ODI World Cup, the BCCI has yet to make any definitive statement regarding their involvement beyond the current cycle. For now, the runs keep flowing, and the rankings continue to reflect their undiminished skill.
It wasn't just the senior batters who benefitted from the South Africa series. Stand-in captain KL Rahul rose two spots to reach 12th among ODI batters, while left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav climbed to third in the bowling rankings, continuing his exceptional run in white-ball cricket.
As India prepares for New Zealand's arrival, one thing is certain-the Rohit-Kohli rivalry at the summit of ODI batting is far from over, and the coming months could reshape the hierarchy once again.
