ICC breaks silence on Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's removal from ODI Batting Rankings
Published - 20 Aug 2025, 06:36 PM | Updated - 20 Aug 2025, 06:37 PM
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In a bizarre twist that stunned the entire cricket world, Indian batting greats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli briefly vanished from the ICC ODI Batting Rankings. Last week, Rohit Sharma was the world’s No. 2-ranked ODI batter, while Virat Kohli held the No. 4 position in the rankings.
However, the latest update in the ICC ODI Batting Rankings on August 20 shockingly excluded both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the Top 100, leaving cricket fans and experts scratching their heads. They felt it could be a glitch or an intentional change.
ICC clarifies Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's absence from ICC ODI Rankings
The sudden absence of two of India’s most prolific run-scorers left several concerned, as there is already buzz over their future in ODI cricket. Over the years, Rohit and Kohli have been the backbone of India’s batting in the format, winning multiple ICC trophies for them.
Read Also: BCCI orders Rohit Sharma to retire in Australia series; Gautam Gambhir unhappy with India captain
However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) quickly clarified that the error was purely technical, and the rankings have since been corrected. The world’s governing body has confirmed that both players retained their original positions in the rankings and remain active in the ODI format.
An ICC spokesperson was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times, “There was an error in our rankings tables today, but it has been rectified.”
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in ICC ODI Batting Rankings
An updated ICC ODI Batting Rankings shows Rohit Sharma returned to his number two position with 756 rating points, while Shubman Gill remained the world’s number one ODI batter with 784 points. On the other hand, Virat Kohli retained his number four spot with 736 rating points.
Shreyas Iyer is another Indian in the Top 10 with 704 rating points in the latest ICC ODI Batting Rankings. Pakistan’s Babar Azam ranked third with 751 rating points, while the New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell completed the Top-5 list with 720 rating points.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli last featured in ODIs in February 2025 during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 held in the UAE. Both played key roles in India ending a decade-long wait for an ICC ODI crown. Now, both have retired from Test and T20I cricket.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma set to make a comeback in Australia
Rohit and Virat are all set to make a comeback in Indian colors in October when they will travel to Australia for the white-ball series. It is being said that the upcoming three-match ODI series in Australia will be Rohit’s farewell series if he announces his retirement from the game.
On the other hand, Kohli’s ODI future is still safe, as the selectors are happy with his form and fitness, and if he continues piling up runs, the dashing right-hander could play in the ICC World Cup 2027 in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Kohli has 14181 runs in 302 ODIs to his name.
The former Indian captain has already smashed 51 centuries and 74 fifties in the 50-over format. Rohit also has an impressive record in ODI cricket, amassing 11168 runs in 273 games with the help of 32 centuries and 58 half-centuries. While Kohli won the ODI World Cup as a player, Rohit is yet to touch the ICC trophy in the 50-over format.
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