Rohit Sharma has gotten a rare milestone in his career by being the first-ever No.1 batter in the ICC ODI rankings. The Indian player ascended to the peak after his magnificent display in the recent ODI series against Australia, where he racked up 202 runs over three innings, hitting a match-winning century in the finale along the way.
With his being 38 years and 182 days old now, Rohit is the oldest batter to have ever been awarded the No.1 ODI ranking. This accomplishment has put him above the likes of young talents like Shubman Gill and Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran. Now Rohit has 781 rating points, having moved ahead of Gill, who has fallen to third position.
However, this moment is not only about the numbers; it is also about the longevity and the consistency of the players. Rohit still rules the game with his style and timing even after almost two decades of international cricket. His climb to the peak is a testimony to the fact that experience and composure still count in modern cricket, where often the younger players take the spotlight.
The past few weeks had the fans’ attention focused on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli possibly announcing their retirement from ODIs after the Australia tour, with reasons that the icons were mainly thinking of making way for younger players. But, on the contrary, Rohit’s stunning performances and his ascent to the top of the rankings have made them all back off the idea of quitting soon. His incredible form is a sign that the “Ro-Ko” era is still bright and shining.
The desire within Rohit to excel remains unchanged. His aggressive yet graceful style of batting has become one of the key strengths of the Indian team, and his experience still gives the team the clarity and confidence to keep moving forward. Besides, people in the team have indicated that Rohit retirement is not on the cards any time soon, particularly with the 2027 World Cup still a couple of years away.
This achievement puts Rohit in the company of the few Indian batters, such as Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni, who have been able to claim the No.1 spot in ODIs. Moreover, it is a moment of pride for Indian cricket emerging now another player on top of the world batting charts.
This year, Rohit decided to retire from Test cricket and now he is totally committed to white-ball formats. His current performance indicates that he has much to give, not just as a ex-captain but also as a trustful batsman of the top order. With the ICC tournaments up ahead for India, his being around a lot will stay as a giant plus, showing one more time that icons like Rohit Sharma do not get old, they just change.
Also read: ICC Rankings: Smriti Mandhana Achieves Career-Best Rating in ODI Rankings
When Can We See Rohit Sharma Again?
Fans can next see Rohit Sharma in action when South Africa tour India later this year for a limited-overs series. The veteran opener is expected to feature in the ODIs, carrying his superb form and confidence from the Australia series into yet another exciting home contest. His return to Indian conditions will be closely watched, as the former skipper looks to continue his golden run and strengthen India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
ICC men’s Cricket Rankings- ODI(Batters)
| Rank | Player (Country) | Points |
| 1 | Rohit Sharma (India) | 781 |
| 2 | Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan) | 764 |
| 3 | Shubman Gill (India) | 745 |
| 4 | Babar Azam (Pakistan) | 739 |
| 5 | Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand) | 734 |
| 6 | Virat Kohli (India) | 725 |
| 7 | Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka) | 716 |
| 8 | Harry Tector (Ireland) | 708 |
| 9 | Shreyas Iyer (India) | 700 |
| 10 | Shai Hope (West Indies) | 690 |
Written By:- Manjunath S