A significant shift in the ICC ODI batting rankings has seen India’s formidable top four batters endure a notable points decrease. Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma have all lost double-digit points following a lackluster display in the first ODI against Australia in Perth.
The match, held at Optus Stadium, was significantly shortened to 26 overs per side due to persistent rain. Australia won the toss and opted to bowl, a decision that paid off as India’s batting lineup faltered. Shubman Gill departed early, and Virat Kohli was dismissed without scoring, a rare occurrence in Australia. India could only manage 136 for nine, a total Australia overhauled with seven wickets to spare.
These ranking drops – Gill losing 16 points, Iyer 13, Kohli 12, and Sharma 11 – highlight the immediate impact of poor form on a player’s standing. The consecutive setbacks in Perth serve as a stark reminder for India’s batting unit, which now faces increased scrutiny and the challenge to regain lost ground in the remaining fixtures of the series.