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Virat Kohli (Source:X)
Virat Kohli has once again reached the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings, marking a remarkable comeback after nearly five years. The 37-year-old returned to the top on 14 January, following a brilliant knock of 93 runs against New Zealand in the first ODI at Vadodara.
However, the ICC made a major factual error in a social media post about Kohli’s career record. The mistake was quickly noticed by fans, forcing the ICC to delete the post and issue a correction.
Virat Kohli’s golden run brings him back to the top
Virat Kohli’s rise back to the No. 1 ODI ranking has been powered by consistent performances. In his last six matches, he has scored five fifties or more, including two centuries. Since December, Kohli has looked in complete control, showing the hunger and class that defined his peak years.
He began this run with two centuries against South Africa in December. Soon after, he returned to domestic cricket and made a strong impact in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
The star batter then carried this form into the ODI series against New Zealand, starting with a match-winning 93 in the opening game.
This performance helped him reclaim the No. 1 ODI ranking for the first time since 2021. Kohli first reached the top spot in October 2013 and has returned there several times during his career.
ICC's Graphic Error on Virat Kohli's ODI ranking
Virat Kohli’s rise back to the No. 1 ODI ranking has been powered by consistent performances. In his last six matches, he has scored five fifties or more, including two centuries. Since December, Kohli has looked in complete control, showing the hunger and class that defined his peak years back in 2016.
He began this run with two centuries against South Africa in December. Soon after, he returned to domestic cricket and made a strong impact in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 131 against Andhra and 77 against Gujarat.
Kohli then carried this form into the ODI series against New Zealand, starting with a match-winning 93 in the 1st ODI.
This performance helped him reclaim the No. 1 ODI ranking for the first time since 2021. Kohli first reached the top spot in October 2013 and has returned there several times during his career.
Kohli now third on All-Time list of No. 1 ODI batters
With the corrected data, Kohli now stands third on the all-time list of players who have spent the most days as the No. 1 ODI batter. He is only behind Sir Vivian Richards of the West Indies, who leads the list with 2,306 days, and Brian Lara, who is second with 2,079 days.
Kohli also holds a special Indian record, having spent 1,257 consecutive days at No. 1 between 2017 and 2021, the longest by any Indian batter in ODIs.
Currently active in only one format (ODIs), Kohli continues to prove that class and consistency never fade.
Virat Kohli will next be seen on the ground in the third ODI against New Zealand on January 18, 2026.
