Virat Kohli to reclaim No. 1 rank in ODI and Test Cricket? Robin Uthappa drops a sensational statement

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Robin Uthappa has shared his thoughts on modern-day legend Virat Kohli reclaiming the top spot in both ODI and Test rankings. Robin Uthappa stated that it’s just a matter of time before Virat Kohli becomes the No. 1 ranked batter in both ODIs and Test cricket in the world.

The Indian team recently completed a 3-0 whitewash over Sri Lanka in the T20I series. Virat Kohli was not part of that series as he had already retired from T20Is after the World Cup 2024 win. He was expected to miss the three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka but was included in the squad along with Rohit Sharma.

The first ODI match between India and Sri Lanka is Virat Kohli's first game in the ongoing calendar year. He was India's second-highest run-scorer in ODIs last year behind Shubman Gill. He scored 1,377 runs from 27 matches and won the Player of the Tournament during the ODI World Cup 2023 at home.

It's Just Matter Of Time Virat Kohli Will Become No.1 - Robin Uthappa

Robin Uthappa said that Virat Kohli will regain the top spot in both ODI and Test rankings. Uthappa is confident that it's only a matter of time before Kohli becomes the number-one batter in both formats globally.

"Do you think Virat Kohli will ever climb back to the first rank in the ODI and Test rankings?" a fan asked.

“I think Virat Kohli will climb and it’s just matter of time Virat Kohli will becomes No.1 ranked Test and ODI batter in the World,” Robin Uthappa said.

Virat Kohli and Robin Uthappa played together for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. The Bengaluru-based team reached the final in 2009 and the semi-final in 2010. The duo also played together for the Indian national cricket team.

Virat Kohli's Record Against Sri Lanka

Virat Kohli made his international debut during India's tour of the island nation in 2008. The right-handed batter scored 12 runs from 22 balls in his first ODI match in Dambulla. However, Kohli has since excelled against Sri Lanka. He delivered standout performances against Sri Lanka in the 50-over format.

The Delhi-born batter is fifth in all-time run-scorers in ODIs between India and Sri Lanka. He has scored 2,594 runs from 53 matches at an average of 63.26 and a strike rate of 93.91. He is behind Sachin Tendulkar, who is first on the list, by over 500 runs. Kohli also has impressive stats in other formats against Sri Lanka.

The former Indian skipper has scored over 1,000 runs in 11 Tests against Sri Lanka at an average of 67.81 with five centuries. In T20Is, his performance is even more impressive. He scored 339 runs across eight matches with an average of 67.80 and a strike rate of 138.36.

Also read: MS Dhoni breaks silence on his relationship with Virat Kohli after Amit Mishra's explosion