Shubman Gill Snatches Back the No. 1 ODI Batting Crown

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-07-30

Shubman Gill is back on top. The India captain has officially reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings, ending New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell's six-month reign at the summit. It's a shift that cricket fans have been watching closely, and the numbers tell a pretty clear story. Gill now holds 801 rating points, sitting seven clear of Mitchell, who drops to second with 794. Mitchell's recent absence from New Zealand's ODI series against the West Indies opened the door, and Gill walked right through it. Sometimes in cricket, timing is everything. ### How Gill Overtook Mitchell The ICC released its latest rankings update on Wednesday, and the change at the top was confirmed. Mitchell missed the Black Caps' away series in the Caribbean, and that gap in match activity was enough to let Gill slide past him. The ICC statement didn't mince words either, noting directly that Mitchell's absence during the West Indies series allowed Gill to reclaim the No. 1 position in 50-over cricket. Mitchell had held the top spot since January, so his run at the summit lasted about six months. Now it's over. For Gill, this marks his second stint at No. 1 within the same year. He held the ranking earlier before Mitchell displaced him at the start of 2026, and Wednesday's update puts him right back where he started. What's been impressive is Gill's consistency across formats. He's not just a one-trick pony in ODIs; he's been delivering across the board, and that's kept him among the most closely watched batters in the sport. This latest jump is just another marker in what's been a remarkable 12 months for the young captain. ### India's Dominance in the Top Five Gill isn't alone at the top. India's batting depth is looking scary good right now. Virat Kohli holds third place with 767 points, and Rohit Sharma sits fourth with 758. That gives India three names inside the top five, which is a rare cluster and a clear sign of the depth running through the lineup. And it doesn't stop there. Shreyas Iyer sits at 13th, and KL Rahul occupies the 18th spot. Add it all up, and India now have five batters inside the top 20. That's a wide talent pool in the 50-over format, and it's going to make them a tough side to beat heading into a packed ODI calendar. Here's a quick breakdown of where India's batters stand: - **Shubman Gill** - No. 1 (801 points) - **Virat Kohli** - No. 3 (767 points) - **Rohit Sharma** - No. 4 (758 points) - **Shreyas Iyer** - No. 13 - **KL Rahul** - No. 18 That kind of depth is rare, and it's a big reason why India are considered one of the favorites in any 50-over competition they enter. ### Bowling and Test Rankings See Movement The changes weren't just limited to batting. Namibia spinner Bernard Scholtz jumped five places to seventh among ODI bowlers, thanks to a strong performance during the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series in Utrecht, which also featured Nepal and the Netherlands. Test rankings saw their own share of movers. 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. That's a result of five consecutive wicket maidens during that match, which is a pretty incredible feat. 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's Next for Gill? For Gill, the timing works in his favor. India have a full ODI season ahead, and starting it at No. 1 gives him a strong marker to defend heading into the coming months. The pressure is on, but if his recent form is anything to go by, he's more than ready for it. Cricket rankings can shift quickly, but right now, the top of the ODI batting charts has an Indian flavor. And with the talent waiting in the wings, that might not change anytime soon.