Rohit Sharma has written his name into the cricket history books by becoming the oldest player ever to be ranked as the world’s number one ODI batter. The Indian captain achieved this career-first at the age of 38 years and 182 days, marking a significant moment in his illustrious career. He has ascended two places in the latest ICC rankings, displacing his compatriot Shubman Gill from the coveted top spot.
The foundation for Sharma’s climb was laid during his outstanding performances in the recent ODI series against Australia. His masterful century in Sydney and a vital 73 in Adelaide provided the impetus needed to reach the summit. These impactful innings were crucial in securing the series win for India and accumulating the rating points necessary to surpass Gill.
Sharma’s achievement places him in an elite group of Indian cricketers who have attained the world number one ranking in ODIs. He is the fifth Indian to reach this milestone, joining the ranks of cricketing giants like Tendulkar, Dhoni, Kohli, and Gill. This accomplishment is a powerful statement on his enduring skill and impact in limited-overs cricket.
As Sharma reached his peak, other prominent Indian batsmen experienced minor changes in their rankings. Shubman Gill, the former number one, has slipped to third following a series where his scores were below his usual high standards. Virat Kohli, despite a solid performance in one match, has also moved down, now sitting at sixth. On a positive note, Shreyas Iyer has advanced into the top 10, securing the ninth position, demonstrating India’s formidable batting talent.