Dubai: New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell has dethroned Indian stalwart Virat Kohli to claim the top position in the ICC men’s ODI batting rankings following his back-to-back centuries against India. Mitchell’s prolific run-scoring played a key role in New Zealand’s 2–1 series victory over India.
Mitchell now leads the rankings with 845 rating points, pushing Kohli (795 points) down to second place. The two remain well ahead of the chasing pack, which includes Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran, India’s Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, and Pakistan skipper Babar Azam.
This marks the second time Mitchell has reached the No. 1 spot in ODI cricket. His previous stint at the summit was brief, lasting just three days in November last year before Rohit Sharma overtook him.
Mitchell’s recent heroics have further cemented his growing reputation in the format. He now has four ODI centuries against India, just one short of AB de Villiers’ tally of five — the most by a South African against India. His two consecutive scores of over 130 also saw him equal Martin Guptill’s record for the most such scores by a New Zealand batter in ODIs, with four.
In the updated rankings, Ibrahim Zadran moved up to third place with 764 points, overtaking former India captain Rohit Sharma, who slipped to fourth with 757 points.
New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips also made notable gains after his match-winning partnership with Mitchell in the decisive third ODI at Indore. The duo stitched together a 219-run stand — the second-highest partnership in New Zealand’s ODI history. Phillips scored a fluent 106 off 88 balls, helping him jump 16 places to 20th in the ODI batting rankings. He also climbed 14 spots to joint 31st in the ODI all-rounders’ list, though Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai continues to lead that category.
In the bowling rankings, New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell rose six places to 33rd following consistent performances in the first two matches of the India series. The top of the ODI bowling rankings remains unchanged, with Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan leading with 710 points, ahead of England pacer Jofra Archer on 670.
Rashid also made progress in the T20I bowler rankings, moving up two places to second after claiming two wickets in Afghanistan’s opening T20I against the West Indies in Dubai. His teammate Mujeeb Ur Rahman climbed two spots to joint 14th among T20I bowlers, while Ibrahim Zadran advanced five places to 15th in the latest T20I batting rankings.