Virat Kohli has significantly narrowed the gap with Shubman Gill in the ICC ODI batting rankings following his remarkable innings of 139 not out against West Indies in the first match of the series. This performance has propelled him to the second position with 796 rating points, now only 20 points behind Gill, who remains at the top with 816 points. Kohli’s innings marked his 55th century in One Day Internationals, contributing to his total of over 15,000 runs in this format.

Kohli’s innings came off just 88 balls and was crucial in helping India chase a target of 296, achieving victory with 50 balls to spare. Gill also made a significant contribution by scoring a century in the same match, thus reinforcing his standing at the summit of the rankings. The recent updates on the rankings highlight the ongoing competition between these two talented players.

This latest performance also continues Kohli’s journey back to the top, as he previously experienced a stint at No.1 earlier this year before slipping back. His current rating represents an increase that places him above New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, who stands at third with 794 points. Kohli now enjoys his highest rating since July 2022.

Context of Upcoming World Cup

The timing of Kohli’s resurgence is noteworthy as the 2027 ODI World Cup approaches, where Kohli has confirmed this edition will be his last appearance for India. With India already qualified for the tournament, which will take place across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, Kohli’s performance in the lead-up to the event is under increased scrutiny.

He has committed to concentrating exclusively on One Day cricket following his retirement from Test and T20 formats. Kohli’s return to form, paired with his ongoing competition with Gill for the top ODI ranking, adds an intriguing layer to the narrative as the teams prepare for the World Cup.

His ability to deliver crucial innings could have significant implications for India’s performance in the tournament. During his career, Kohli has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to perform in high-stakes matches. The upcoming year will be critical for him as he looks to enhance his legacy in ODIs, especially with the World Cup looming on the horizon.

Current ODI Rankings Overview

The latest ODI batting rankings reveal a close competition at the summit. Shubman Gill leads with 816 points, followed by Virat Kohli with 796 points. Daryl Mitchell of New Zealand occupies third place with 794 points. Rohit Sharma is positioned fourth with 719 points, alongside Ibrahim Zadran from Afghanistan, who also holds 719 points. Pakistan’s Babar Azam completes the top rankings with 689 points.

Kohli’s latest rise of 29 points places him in a strong position, making the battle for No.1 increasingly competitive. The rankings reflect not only individual performances but also the contributions of players across various teams. For instance, Sri Lankan player Kusal Mendis climbed to seventh position following his century against England, illustrating the dynamic nature of the standings.

As India prepares for the second ODI against West Indies in Guwahati, they face a challenging target of 406 runs after West Indies posted an impressive 405. Achieving this would mark India’s highest successful ODI chase, necessitating a new benchmark surpassing their previous record of 362 runs against Australia in 2013. Kohli’s ability to replicate his recent form could be pivotal in this endeavour.

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