Veteran Indian opener Rohit Sharma has surged to the No. 2 spot in the latest ICC One Day International (ODI) rankings for batters, reaffirming his place among the elite in world cricket despite an extended absence from competitive action.
The 38-year-old, who has not featured in any match since the conclusion of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), leapfrogged Pakistan’s Babar Azam to secure second place. Babar, now ranked third, saw a dip in form during Pakistan’s recent ODI series against the West Indies, registering a string of low scores that impacted his overall rating.
Rohit now holds 756 rating points, trailing only India’s Test captain Shubman Gill, who continues to lead the charts with 784 points. Gill’s consistent performances have solidified his status as the world’s top-ranked ODI batter.
Former India skipper Virat Kohli, another stalwart of the Indian batting lineup, maintained his fourth position with 736 points. Both Rohit and Kohli had announced their retirement from Test cricket earlier this year, ahead of India’s tour of England, but have made it clear that they intend to continue playing in the 50-over format.
The pair last featured in ODIs during India’s triumphant Champions Trophy campaign in the UAE earlier this year, where their experience and leadership played a crucial role in guiding the team to the title.
India’s dominance in the ODI rankings doesn’t stop with its top three stars. Shreyas Iyer, known for his middle-order stability, is placed eighth, while wicketkeeper-batter K. L. Rahul holds the 15th spot. In total, India now has five players among the top 15 ODI batters in the world—highlighting the depth and talent in its current white-ball squad.
The latest rankings update further cements India’s stronghold in the format and reflects the impact of its senior players even as they transition into more focused roles. With the ICC ODI calendar heating up ahead of the 2026 Champions Trophy qualifiers, Rohit’s rise is a timely boost for the Indian side.
As fans eagerly await the next phase of India’s ODI campaign, the form and experience of players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain central to the team’s ambitions on the global stage.
