Just ahead of the three-match ODI series between India and South Africa beginning November 30, Rohit Sharma has suffered a major setback. The Indian skipper has lost his crown in the latest ICC ODI rankings, slipping from the No. 1 position. The Hitman has now dropped to second place.
His top spot has been taken by New Zealand’s explosive batter Daryl Mitchell, who has climbed to No. 1 with 782 points, while Rohit is close behind with 781 points. Mitchell’s rise comes on the back of a brilliant century in the first ODI against the West Indies, an innings that propelled him to the top.
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Mitchell struck his seventh ODI century, scoring 119 off 118 balls, an innings studded with 12 fours and 2 sixes. His knock helped New Zealand beat the West Indies by 7 runs. He has now become only the second New Zealand batter to reach the No. 1 ODI ranking with the first being Glenn Turner, who achieved it in 1979. Mitchell, however, missed the second ODI due to injury.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s batters have also benefitted in the updated rankings following the Sri Lanka–Pakistan ODI series. Mohammad Rizwan has jumped five places to reach No. 22, while Fakhar Zaman has climbed to No. 26. Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has also improved slightly, moving up one spot to sixth, with 622 points.
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Rohit still has a chance to reclaim No. 1
There is still an opportunity for Rohit to regain the top position. With just one point separating him and Mitchell, strong performances in the upcoming ODI series against South Africa which is similar to his form in the Australia series and could bring him back to No. 1.
Among the top 10 ODI batters, India continue to dominate. Along with Rohit, Shubman Gill (4th), Virat Kohli (5th), and Shreyas Iyer (8th) remain firmly placed in the top tier of the ICC rankings.
