Rohit Sharma Becomes No. 2 ODI Batter Without Playing, Benefits from Babar Azam’s Poor Form
Major Upset in ODI Rankings
In the latest ICC ODI batting rankings released on Wednesday, Indian captain Rohit Sharma has climbed to second place without playing a recent match. He currently has 756 rating points.
This rise was made possible due to the poor form of Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam, who scored only 56 runs in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against the West Indies. As a result, Babar slipped from second to third place.
At the top of the rankings is Shubman Gill, with 784 rating points.
Rohit last played an ODI match on March 9, 2025, in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand. Since then, he has not featured in any international game.
Babar’s Declining Form and Kohli’s Challenge
Babar Azam’s recent performances are a cause for concern for Pakistan. If his form continues like this, Virat Kohli could overtake him soon. Kohli is currently in fourth place, and his rating points are not far behind Babar’s.
The change in rankings shows that players’ ratings are influenced not only by their own performances but also by the performances of others. Babar’s low scores reduced his points, while Rohit’s points remained intact despite not playing.
Tim David Enters T20 Top-10
Apart from ODIs, there has been a significant shift in the T20 batting rankings as well.
- Tim David smashed 83 runs in the first T20 against South Africa. This propelled him six places up to 10th position, his career-best ranking.
- India’s Abhishek Sharma remains at the top with 829 rating points.
- Tilak Varma has moved into second place, surpassing England’s Phil Salt. Tilak has 804 points, while Salt has 791.
Dewald Brevis’ Big Leap
South Africa’s 22-year-old batter Dewald Brevis scored a stunning century off just 41 balls in the second T20 against Australia, remaining unbeaten on 125 runs — one of the most memorable innings of his career.
This earned him a huge reward: he jumped 80 spots to reach 21st place in the T20 batting rankings.
Indian Dominance in Test Cricket
India’s players continue to dominate the Test format rankings.
Jadeja No. 1 All-rounder for 179 Weeks
India’s Ravindra Jadeja has held the No. 1 Test all-rounder spot for 179 consecutive weeks. He has 405 rating points, and there have been no changes in the top-10 all-rounders list.
Bumrah Still No. 1 Bowler
India’s Jasprit Bumrah remains at the top of the Test bowling rankings.
New Zealand’s Matt Henry recently claimed 16 wickets in the series against Zimbabwe, moving up one spot to third place. He now has 846 points, his career-best, surpassing Australian captain Pat Cummins (838 points).
Kohli Out of T20 Top-5
In T20 cricket, Australia’s David Warner has overtaken India’s Virat Kohli in the list of most runs scored. Warner reached this milestone after scoring a crucial fifty while playing in England’s The Hundred League, showcasing his consistent form in franchise cricket. With this knock, Warner climbed to fifth place in the all-time T20 run-scorers chart, leaving Kohli in sixth position.
Kohli, known for his remarkable consistency and match-winning knocks in T20 cricket, has been a dominant force for over a decade. However, Warner’s aggressive style and frequent appearances in domestic and international T20 leagues have given him more opportunities to accumulate runs. Both players remain among the most celebrated batters in the shortest format, and the battle for higher positions on the run-scoring list is far from over.
Conclusion
The latest ICC rankings clearly reflect India’s dominance across formats — be it ODIs, T20s, or Test cricket.
- In ODIs, Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli are all in the top four.
- In T20s, Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma have secured top-three positions.
- In Tests, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah remain at the top.
This is a positive sign for India, showing the presence of multiple top-ranked players across all formats. Meanwhile, Babar Azam’s declining form and the rise of players from other countries promise an even more exciting battle for rankings in the coming months.
About The Author
