Daryl Mitchell set to dethrone Virat Kohli as World No.1 ODI batter after Rohit Sharma’s downfall

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Rohit Sharma Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli has climbed back to the No. 1 position in the ICC ODI batter rankings, according to the latest update released on Wednesday, January 14. However, Kohli’s position is not fully secure, as batter Daryl Mitchell is close behind in the rankings and could overtake him depending on upcoming performances.

Kohli was dismissed for just 23 runs off 29 deliveries, including two boundaries, during the second ODI against New Zealand at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. Kohli tried to steer the ball fine but got a thick inside edge, which crashed into the middle stump. His dismissal left India at 118/4 after 23.3 overs.

Virat Kohli Reclaims No. 1 ODI Ranking After Strong Run of Form

Virat Kohli has climbed back to the top of the ODI rankings after impressive performances. He scored a match-winning 93 against New Zealand in the first ODI in Vadodara, which pushed him back to the summit.

Kohli’s surge began with an unbeaten fifty in the third ODI against Australia in Sydney in October 2025. Since then, he has added four more consecutive scores above fifty, easing doubts about his long-term future.

Before the 2025 Champions Trophy, Kohli was not among the top five-ranked ODI batters, but his recent consistency has changed that. With a rating of 785, he has reclaimed the No. 1 ODI batter spot for the first time since 2021.

Rohit Sharma dropped two places to No. 3, behind Daryl Mitchell, who is now second. The Indian opener slipped down the rankings after mixed performances against South Africa and New Zealand.

Daryl Mitchell Eyes No. 1 Spot in ICC ODI Batter Rankings

Daryl Mitchell is closing in on the top spot in the ICC ODI batter rankings. He currently sits in second place with 784 points, just one point behind Virat Kohli, who leads with 785.

Mitchell scored 84 off 71 balls for New Zealand in the first ODI, which lifted him from No.3 to No.2. He has emerged as New Zealand’s most reliable middle-order batter, known for his composure in pressure situations.

With such a slim gap, any score above 25 runs in the remaining ODI could see Mitchell overtake Kohli and become the new No.1 ODI batter. The third and final ODI will decide the rankings in the next update.

Virat Kohli Becomes India’s Longest-Serving No.1 ODI Batter

Virat Kohli has strengthened his legacy in ODI cricket by returning to the No. 1 batter ranking once again. With the latest update, this is the 11th time he has reached the top spot, a position he first achieved in October 2013.

Across his career, Kohli has now spent a total of 825 days as the No. 1 ODI batter, the most by any Indian batter. His latest return to the summit marks his first time back at the top since July 2021, after last holding the position in April 2021.

In the all-time list of most days spent at No. 1 in ODIs, Kohli is currently 10th overall. The record is held by Vivian Richards, who stayed at the top for 2306 days.

Also read: Virat Kohli bamboozled in 2023 World Cup final style by Kristian Clarke in IND vs NZ 2nd ODI