The latest ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings have brought a major change at the top. New Zealand star Daryl Mitchell has climbed to World No.1, pushing Virat Kohli down to second place after a match-winning ODI series against India.
Mitchell rise comes on the back of an exceptional performance in the three-match ODI series in India, where he scored 352 runs, including back-to-back centuries in the 2nd and 3rd ODIs, and finished as Player of the Series. His ICC rating has jumped to a career-best 845 points, giving him a clear lead at the top.
This is the second time Mitchell has reached the No.1 spot in ODI rankings. He briefly held the position in November 2025, but this time his lead looks far more solid.
How Virat Kohli Lost the Top Spot
Virat Kohli had returned to the No.1 ranking just a week ago, ending a four-year wait. However, despite scoring a century in the series, India 2–1 series defeat at home resulted in a points adjustment that saw Kohli drop to second place.
Kohli now holds 795 rating points. While his individual form remains strong, the team result worked against him in this update.
Rohit Sharma and Other Movers
Indian captain Rohit Sharma also faced a setback. A quiet series with the bat saw him slip to fourth position. Afghanistan Ibrahim Zadran moved up to third after consistent performances in recent months.
Also see: IND vs NZ 1st T20I Match Preview, Head to Head, Toss Timing
ICC ODI Batting Rankings – Top 5 (Updated: 21 January 2026)
| Rank | Player | Team | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daryl Mitchell | New Zealand | 845 |
| 2 | Virat Kohli | India | 795 |
| 3 | Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan | 764 |
| 4 | Rohit Sharma | India | 757 |
| 5 | Shubman Gill | India | 723 |
Mitchell No.1 ranking reflects his remarkable consistency across conditions, from away tours to sub-continent pitches. His dominance in the India series has firmly placed him among the most reliable ODI batters in world cricket right now.
For India, the rankings update is a mixed result. While Kohli and Rohit slipped individually, India remain No.1 in the ICC ODI Team Rankings, though they dropped a couple of rating points after the series loss. New Zealand continue to sit close behind, strengthening their credentials ahead of upcoming global tournaments.
India now shift focus to the T20I series against New Zealand and preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Kohli is not expected to feature in ODIs for a few months, which could make an immediate return to the No.1 spot challenging.
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on whether Daryl Mitchell can hold on to the top ranking for a longer run or if Kohli stages another comeback, as he has done so many times before.
