Virat Kohli has returned to the summit of the ICC Men’s ODI batting rankings with 785 rating points, overtaking his longtime teammate Rohit Sharma in the latest rankings update released on January 14, 2026.
This marks Kohli’s first time at the top since July 2021, and his resurgence comes on the back of vintage performances that have reminded cricket fans worldwide why he is considered one of the greatest limited-overs batsmen of all time.
The 37-year-old has been in sensational form, registering five consecutive 50-plus scores in his last five ODI matches, showcasing the consistency and match-winning ability that defined his peak years.
ICC Men’s ODI Batsman Rankings (As of January 14, 2026)
| Pos | Team | Player | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | India | Virat Kohli | 785 |
| 02 | New Zealand | Daryl Mitchell | 784 |
| 03 | India | Rohit Sharma | 775 |
| 04 | Afghanistan | Ibrahim Zadran | 764 |
| 05 | India | Shubman Gill | 725 |
| 06 | Pakistan | Babar Azam | 722 |
| 07 | Ireland | Harry Tector | 708 |
| 08 | West Indies | Shai Hope | 701 |
| 09 | Sri Lanka | Charith Asalanka | 690 |
| 10 | India | Shreyas Iyer | 682 |
To know what records are in play next, here’s a detailed look at the records Virat Kohli can break during IND vs NZ 2nd ODI.
Kohli’s Remarkable Recent Performances
Virat Kohli’s climb back to the No.1 position has been fueled by an extraordinary run of scores across multiple series. His recent form has been nothing short of exceptional, with dominant performances against top-quality opposition.
ODI Series vs Australia (October 2025)
Kohli scored a fluent 74 not out against Australia in Sydney in October, which marked the beginning of his remarkable streak, setting the tone for what was to come in subsequent series.
ODI Series vs South Africa (November-December 2025)
The South Africa series witnessed Kohli at his absolute best. He registered scores of 135, 102, and 65 not out in a home series against South Africa, playing a pivotal role in India’s 2-1 series victory.
His two centuries came off 120 and 93 balls respectively, showcasing both his classical technique and his ability to accelerate when needed. The unbeaten 65 in the final match sealed the series for India and proved once again that Kohli thrives under pressure.
Vijay Hazare Trophy (December 2025)
Adding to his international exploits, Kohli also delivered for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, registering a century (131) and a fifty (77). This domestic participation after 15 years demonstrated his commitment to Indian cricket at all levels and helped him fine-tune his game ahead of the international assignments.
ODI Series vs New Zealand (January 2026)
In the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara, Kohli continued his fine form with a match-winning 93 off 91 balls. This innings was crucial in India’s successful chase and proved to be the catalyst for his ascent to the No.1 ranking. During this knock, Kohli became the fastest player to reach 28,000 runs across all international formats and the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket history.
Rohit Sharma Slips To Third Place
Rohit Sharma, who previously held the No.1 position, dropped six points to 775 and slipped to third place in the rankings. The Indian captain’s modest score of 26 runs in the first ODI against New Zealand contributed to his downward movement in the standings. New Zealand’s all-rounder Daryl Mitchell moved up to second place with 784 points, just one behind Kohli, after his impressive 84 off 71 balls in the same match. Mitchell’s career-best rating now places him tantalizingly close to the top spot, setting up an intriguing battle for supremacy in the coming matches.
The rankings update has created a fascinating dynamic at the top of the ODI batting charts, with just 10 rating points separating the top three batsmen. As India and New Zealand continue their ODI series, the competition for the No.1 spot could intensify further, making every innings crucial in the race for supremacy.
