Virat Kohli threatens Shubman Gill's top spot in ICC ODI batting rankings

Star India batter Virat Kohli is closing in on teammate Shubman Gill at the top of the ICC ODI batters’ rankings. Kohli has risen one spot to be in second position in the latest rankings update shared by the ICC on Wednesday, September 30.

The batting stalwart recently slammed his 55^th ODI hundred in the series opener against West Indies at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. Kohli played a breathtaking innings of 139* (88), studded with ten fours and nine sixes to help India chase down 296 in 41.4 overs. 

Following his stupendous batting effort, he now has 796 ratings to his name and is only behind his captain Shubman Gill, who comfortably takes the top spot with 816 points. Meanwhile, Daryl Mitchell has fallen one spot to be in third position with 794 ratings, while India’s opening batter Rohit Sharma remains fourth with 753 ratings.

Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis has also risen three spots to a career-best seventh (674) after his magnificent innings of 121 (100) against England in Leeds.

Meanwhile, in the bowlers’ rankings, Keshav Maharaj has taken a giant leap to jump three spots and occupy the third spot (667). The left-arm spinner has delivered stellar performances, registering figures of 4/20 (9.2 overs) and 2/54 (10 overs) in the first two ODIs against Australia, respectively. 

Kuldeep Yadav jumps three spots

He’s just eight rating points behind Abrar Ahmed (675), while Rashid Khan sits on top with 714 ratings. Meanwhile, India’s left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav has also jumped four spots to be in fifth position with 623 ratings.

He delivered a Player of the Match performance, taking a four-wicket haul (4/40, ten overs) in the first ODI against West Indies. Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has also moved five spots to be in tenth position after taking four wickets in the first two ODIs against South Africa.