A concerning trend has emerged in the ICC ODI batting rankings, with India’s formidable top four batsmen enduring substantial point losses. Shubman Gill (-16), Shreyas Iyer (-13), Virat Kohli (-12), and Rohit Sharma (-11) have all dropped significant numbers of points after India’s opening ODI defeat against Australia in Perth. The match, played on October 19, 2025, at Optus Stadium, was a rain-shortened affair where India’s batting lineup faltered dramatically. Opting to bowl first, Australia restricted India to a mere 136/9 in 26 overs, a total that proved insufficient. The innings was marred by an early collapse, including Gill’s dismissal and a first-ever ODI duck for Kohli in Australia. The Australian team chased the target with seven wickets to spare, underscoring India’s batting struggles. These ranking deductions reflect the immediate impact of such a performance. The loss of points for Gill, Iyer, Kohli, and Sharma signals a dip in their current form and could affect their standing as key players. With the series far from over, the Indian team faces the challenge of not only winning matches but also restoring confidence and regaining lost ranking momentum.
