Shubman Gill Just Took Back the No. 1 ODI Batting Spot—Here's How

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-07-30

Shubman Gill is back on top of the ICC ODI batting rankings, and the timing couldn't be better for India's captain. After a six-month gap, he's reclaimed the No. 1 spot from New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell, who slipped to second after sitting out the recent series against the West Indies. Right now, Gill holds 801 rating points. That's seven more than Mitchell's 794. It's a tight margin, but in the world of ICC rankings, every point counts. And for Gill, this marks his second stint at the summit within the same year—a sign of just how consistent he's been in the 50-over format. ### What Changed at the Top The ICC released its latest update on Wednesday, and the shift was pretty straightforward. Mitchell missed New Zealand's away series in the Caribbean, and that gap in match activity opened the door for Gill to move past him. The ICC statement made it clear: Mitchell's absence during the West Indies series allowed Gill to reclaim the No. 1 position. Mitchell had held the top spot since January, so his six-month run has officially come to an end. For Gill, though, this isn't just about luck. He's been carrying serious form through the format over the past year. Before Mitchell displaced him at the start of 2026, Gill was already the top-ranked batter. Now, he's back where many feel he belongs. ### India's Dominance in the Top Five Here's where things get interesting. Gill isn't the only Indian batter making waves. Virat Kohli sits third with 767 points, and Rohit Sharma is fourth with 758. That means India has three names inside the top five—a rare cluster that highlights the depth in their batting lineup. And it doesn't stop there. Shreyas Iyer is at 13th, while KL Rahul holds the 18th spot. Add it all up, and India now has five batters inside the top 20. That's a serious statement as the team heads into a packed ODI calendar. When you've got that kind of firepower across the order, it puts pressure on every opposition. ### Bowling and Test Rankings Also Shifted The rankings update wasn't just about batting. Namibia's Bernard Scholtz jumped five places to seventh among ODI bowlers, thanks to his performance during the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series in Utrecht. That series also featured Nepal and the Netherlands, and Scholtz clearly made the most of it. Over in the Test rankings, there was plenty of movement too. West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves posted major gains after a standout showing against Pakistan in Trinidad. He rose 21 places to 48th among Test bowlers and climbed eight spots to ninth in the all-rounders' list. What made it special? Five consecutive wicket maidens during that match. That's the kind of spell that changes games. Jayden Seales also moved up, reaching 24th among Test bowlers, while Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas advanced to 17th. In the batting charts, Babar Azam gained four places to sit 15th after bringing up his 32nd Test half-century. ### What This Means for Gill Going Forward For Gill, the timing works in his favour. India have a full ODI season ahead, and starting it at No. 1 gives him a strong marker to defend. Holding the top spot isn't just about personal pride—it sets the tone for the entire squad. - Consistency is key: Gill has now proven he can bounce back after losing the top spot. - India's depth is a weapon: With three batters in the top five, teams can't just focus on one threat. - Rankings can shift fast: Missing a series can cost you, as Mitchell found out. It's going to be interesting to see how the next few months play out. Will Gill hold onto the No. 1 spot, or will Mitchell find a way to reclaim it? Either way, cricket fans are in for a treat. For more cricket news and updates, keep checking back for fresh insights and analysis.