A new chapter in cricketing history has been penned as Rohit Sharma, at the remarkable age of 38 years and 182 days, has officially become the oldest cricketer to achieve the No. 1 ranking in the ICC Men’s ODI Batting charts. This is a maiden No. 1 ranking for the Indian captain, marking a career-defining moment that saw him leapfrog teammate Shubman Gill.
Sharma’s stellar form in the recent ODI series against Australia was the catalyst for his historic rise. His dominant century in Sydney and a valuable half-century in Adelaide not only steered India to a series victory but also earned him the crucial rating points required to reach the top. These performances are a testament to his enduring skill and mental fortitude.
By attaining the No. 1 ODI batting position, Rohit Sharma joins an exclusive pantheon of Indian cricketing heroes. He is the fifth Indian to reach this elite status, following in the esteemed footsteps of Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill. This achievement underscores his status as one of the greatest white-ball batsmen of all time.
Meanwhile, the rankings reflect a dynamic shift for other Indian batsmen. Shubman Gill, the former top-ranked player, has fallen to third place. Virat Kohli has also seen a slight drop, now sitting at sixth. However, there is good news for India’s middle order, with Shreyas Iyer advancing into the top 10 at ninth position, further emphasizing the team’s batting prowess.