Rohit Sharma Achieves Career Milestone
MUMBAI – In the latest ICC player rankings, India’s veteran batsman and former captain Rohit Sharma has reached the top of the One-Day International (ODI) batting charts for the first time in his career. The update, issued by the International Cricket Council (ICC), reflects performances from recent international matches and ongoing series.
Rohit’s consistent form throughout the year — including crucial knocks against Australia and South Africa — has helped him surpass other leading players. His rise to the No. 1 position marks a new personal milestone, as he becomes one of the few Indian players to achieve this feat in ODIs.
Following him on the list is Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran, who has emerged as one of the most reliable openers in international cricket, and Pakistan’s Shubman Gill, who now sits in third place. Former No. 1 Babar Azam of Pakistan has dropped to fourth, though he remains among the world’s most consistent ODI performers.
Rashid Khan Continues to Dominate in Bowling
In the bowling department, Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan has retained his position as the top-ranked ODI bowler, maintaining his dominance through a combination of pace, control, and sharp variations. Rashid has been instrumental in Afghanistan’s recent ODI victories and continues to be a key figure in global cricket.
Mixed Fortunes for Pakistani Players in Test Rankings
The ICC Test rankings brought mixed results for Pakistan’s squad. Shan Masood, the Test captain, climbed five places to reach 42nd position, reflecting his improving form. Mohammad Rizwan, however, slipped five spots to 21st place after a quiet run with the bat. Meanwhile, Saud Shakeel rose one place to 12th, consolidating his reputation as one of Pakistan’s most dependable middle-order batsmen.
In the Test bowling rankings, Nauman Ali made significant progress, jumping to third position, placing him behind India’s Jasprit Bumrah, who holds the No. 1 spot, and New Zealand’s Matt Henry, currently second.
India and Pakistan Shine in T20 Rankings
In the T20 format, Indian players have shown strong performances. Abhishek Sharma now leads the T20 batting rankings, followed by England’s Phil Salt in second and India’s Tilak Varma in third.
From Pakistan, Sahibzada Farhan climbed one position to reach 11th place, demonstrating growing consistency at the top of the order.
In the T20 all-rounder rankings, Pakistan’s Saim Ayub continues to hold the No. 1 spot, while teammate Mohammad Nawaz has moved up eight places to sixth after a series of impressive performances with both bat and ball.
Broader Context: Asian Players Dominating Global Cricket
The latest ICC updates highlight the growing dominance of Asian cricketers across all formats. India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan feature prominently in both batting and bowling lists, underscoring the region’s growing influence in world cricket.
Analysts say this trend reflects the depth of talent and competitiveness in the subcontinent, where cricket remains not only a sport but a national passion. As the ICC rankings evolve, players from these nations continue to push boundaries and redefine the global cricketing landscape.
