Shubman Gill’s ascendancy to the No.1 ODI batter ranking was nothing short of historic, as he ended Babar Azam’s more than two-year reign as the world’s top ODI batsman. This remarkable feat was officially confirmed when the latest ICC men’s batting rankings were unveiled on a Wednesday. Shubman Gill‘s rise was not only extraordinary but also historic, making him the fourth Indian player to reach the pinnacle of ODI batting, following the footsteps of legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli.
Shubman Gill’s remarkable journey to the top was propelled by his exceptional performance at the start of India’s campaign in the 2023 World Cup. He had been hot on the heels of Babar Azam for some time, and his consistent displays finally propelled him to the coveted position.
In the tournament, Shubman Gill made his presence felt, scoring 92 against Sri Lanka and 23 against South Africa in the past week. This showcased his ability to perform under pressure, and he amassed a total of 219 runs from six innings during the World Cup. Shubman Gill’s journey to the top was not without obstacles, as he missed the first two matches of the tournament against Australia and Afghanistan due to a battle with dengue.
Babar Azam, a stalwart of Pakistan cricket, couldn’t maintain his stranglehold on the top ranking and slipped to the second position, trailing Gill by six rating points. Gill’s rating point stood at an impressive 830, while Babar Azam’s rating now sits at 824. South Africa’s Quinton de Kock claimed the third position with a rating of 771.
The good news for India did not stop with Shubman Gill’s historic achievement. Cricket legend Virat Kohli also made a significant leap into the top five ODI batters, thanks to his stellar performance at the World Cup. Kohli’s extraordinary form in the tournament saw him move up three places to claim the fourth spot in the rankings, with a mere one rating point separating him from the third-placed Quinton de Kock, as he tallied an impressive 543 runs.
The impact of the World Cup was not limited to the batting rankings alone. In the bowler’s rankings, Mohammed Siraj rose to the top, thanks to his incredible display that earned him ten wickets during the World Cup.
The World Cup brought about a major shake-up in the top 10 rankings for both batting and bowling in ODI cricket. Notably, India’s exceptional performance left an indelible mark on the rankings, with several Indian players making substantial progress.
Shreyas Iyer, for instance, made a remarkable jump of 17 places, securing the 18th position among ODI batters. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman rose three spots to claim the 11th position, and Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran made impressive strides, moving up six places to secure the 12th position.
The ODI bowling rankings also witnessed a significant transformation as the World Cup unfolded. India, riding on their unbeaten start to the 50-over showcase event, had a strong presence, with four players inside the top 10.
Mohammed Siraj, who finished as the top wicket-taker in the World Cup, regained the No.1 spot in the ODI bowler rankings. His compatriots, Kuldeep Yadav (fourth), Jasprit Bumrah (eighth), and Mohammed Shami (tenth) all secured their places within the top 10.
South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj rose two spots to secure the second position, while Australia’s Adam Zampa made a substantial leap, climbing six places to third. In contrast, the previous No.1 ODI bowler, Shaheen Afridi, dropped four places and now shares the fifth spot with fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood.
The World Cup brought about a revolution in the ICC men’s ODI rankings, with Indian cricket stars shining brightly on both the batting and bowling fronts, making their nation and fans proud with their remarkable performances and achievements.