Daryl Mitchell displaces Virat Kohli to rise to No. 1 in ICC ODI batting rankings
Daryl Mitchell (Source: X/@BLACKCAPS)
Published - 21 Jan 2026, 04:53 PM• Read time - 12 mins
Daryl Mitchell has displaced Virat Kohli to become the new No. 1 batter in the ICC ODI batting rankings. The Kiwi scored an unbeaten 131 in the 2nd ODI against India in Rajkot to help his side win by seven wickets and backed it up with a 137 in the series decider in Indore to guide New Zealand to their first-ever ODI series victory in India.
Mitchell was adjudged the Player of the Series for aggregating 352 runs at a stellar average of 176. Mitchell has accumulated 845 ratings - the highest of his ODI career. Mitchell's rise has pushed Virat to the second position. Virat scored 23 in the 2nd ODI and scored a superb century (124), but it wasn't enough to take the team over the line and win the series.
Latest ICC Men's ODI Batting Rankings
| Pos | Team | Player | Rating | Career Best Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | NZ | Daryl Mitchell | 845 | 845 v India at Indore 2026 |
| 02 | India | Virat Kohli | 795 | 909 v England at Headingley 2018 |
| 03 | Afghanistan | Ibrahim Zadran | 764 | 764 v Bangladesh at Abu Dhabi 2025 |
| 04 | India | Rohit Sharma | 757 | 882 v Sri Lanka at Headingley 2019 |
| 05 | India | Shubman Gill | 723 | 847 v Australia at Indore 2023 |
| 06 | Pakistan | Babar Azam | 722 | 898 v West Indies at Multan 2022 |
| 07 | Ireland | Harry Tector | 708 | 767 v Afghanistan at Sharjah 2024 |
| 08 | West Indies | Shai Hope | 701 | 802 v Bangladesh at Malahide 2019 |
| 09 | Sri Lanka | Charith Asalanka | 690 | 725 v Bangladesh at Colombo (RPS) 2025 |
| 10 | India | KL Rahul | 670 | 683 v New Zealand at Rajkot 2026 |
Daryl Mitchell opens up on series win against India
Mitchell was ecstatic with the series win against India and heaped praise on teammate Glenn Phillips, who scored a hundred in the 3rd ODI.
"It's really nice to contribute and to win over here. The way we built partnerships, with Young and GP. Always nice to get stuck into moments with your mates. I'm just trying to concentrate on being present, watch the ball and repeat, and make some good decisions. GP is a mate, awesome to see him get a 100. He's been out injured, proud of how he's come back. I love playing for my country, took a while to get here, domestic cricket taught a lot."
