Rohit Sharma has ascended to the No. 1 position in the ICC ODI batting rankings for the first time in his career, surpassing fellow Indian teammate Shubman Gill. This achievement, announced on Wednesday, marks a significant milestone for the 38-year-old veteran, who is now the oldest player to ever hold the top spot in ODI rankings.
Sharma's rise to the summit is attributed to his outstanding performance in the recent three-match ODI series against Australia, where he emerged as the highest run-scorer with 202 runs. His impressive form included a match-winning century in the final ODI in Sydney, propelling India to a commanding nine-wicket victory. This was his 33rd ODI century and 50th in international cricket.
With this achievement, Sharma surpassed Sachin Tendulkar, who was the oldest to achieve this milestone in Test cricket back in 2011 at the age of 38 years and 73 days.
Sharma gained 36 rating points, increasing his total from 741 to 781, thus overtaking Gill, who had been holding the No. 1 position since late 2023. Gill has now moved to the third spot, with Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran occupying the second position.
This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy considering the ongoing discussions about Sharma's potential retirement from international cricket. His resurgence in the ODI format after a seven-month hiatus demonstrates his enduringclass and determination.
Throughout the ODI series against Australia, Sharma broke several records, including surpassing Virender Sehwag for most runs as an Indian opener. His consistent performance and leadership have been instrumental in India's success in recent years.
The top 10 in the ICC ODI Batting Rankings as of October 2025 are: 1. Rohit Sharma (India) - 781 2. Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan) - 764 3. Shubman Gill (India) - 745 4. Babar Azam (Pakistan) - 739 5. Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand) - 734 6. Virat Kohli (India) - 725 7. Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka) - 716 8. Harry Tector (Ireland) - 708 9. Shreyas Iyer (India) - 700 10. Shai Hope (West Indies) - 690
Sharma's journey to the top has been marked by remarkable consistency and a hunger for runs. Even though he reached a career-high rating of 882 at No. 2 during the 2019 World Cup, where he set a record with five centuries, this is the first time he has achieved the number one ranking. At 38 years and 182 days, Sharma is the fifth Indian to claim the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings. His recent match-winning innings in Adelaide and Sydney solidified his position.
