Virat Kohli Ascends to Second Position in ICC ODI Rankings, Narrows Gap with Leader Rohit Sharma
In the latest ICC Men's ODI Player Rankings update, released on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, Virat Kohli has surged to the second spot, inching closer to his teammate Rohit Sharma, who retains the number one position. Kohli's impressive climb is attributed to his exceptional performance in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against South Africa.
Kohli's scores of 135, 102, and 65* in the series played a pivotal role in India's 2-1 series victory, earning him the Player of the Series award. Accumulating 302 runs at an impressive average of 151 and a strike rate of 117.05, Kohli showcased a return to his vintage form. This stellar performance has propelled him two places up the rankings, making him a formidable contender for the top spot.
Rohit Sharma, with 781 points, currently leads the rankings, while Kohli trails closely behind with 773 points. The gap between the two Indian stalwarts is a mere eight rating points, setting the stage for an exciting battle for supremacy in the upcoming ODI matches.
The last time Kohli held the number one position was in March 2021, before Babar Azam took over. Kohli's recent resurgence has sparked hopes among fans of him reclaiming the top spot.
Other notable rankings in the top 10 include Daryl Mitchell of New Zealand in third place with 766 points, followed by Ibrahim Zadran of Afghanistan with 764 points. Shubman Gill, another Indian batsman, holds the fifth position with 723 points. Babar Azam of Pakistan is sixth with 722 points. Harry Tector (Ireland) is seventh, Shai Hope (West Indies) eighth, Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka) ninth, and Shreyas Iyer (India) occupies the tenth spot.
KL Rahul has also seen an upward movement, climbing two places to 12th position.
In the bowling rankings, Kuldeep Yadav's impressive performance in the series against South Africa, where he took nine wickets, has propelled him three places to the third position.
With the 2027 ICC Men's World Cup on the horizon, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be aiming to solidify their positions and fine-tune their form in the remaining ODI matches. Their continued dominance at the top of the rankings reflects India's strength in the ODI format and sets the stage for an exciting period in international cricket.
