Daryl Mitchell Surpasses Rohit Sharma to Claim No.1 ODI Ranking

Overview

Daryl Mitchell has created history by surpassing Rohit Sharma to secure the No.1 spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings. This marks the first time in 45 years that a New Zealand cricketer has reached the top position, following an exceptional century against West Indies.

Daryl Mitchell celebrates after scoring a match winning century against West Indies.

New Zealand star batter Daryl Mitchell has achieved a remarkable milestone by overtaking former Indian captain Rohit Sharma to become the top ranked ODI batsman in the latest ICC rankings. The updated list, issued by the ICC this week, confirms Mitchell’s rise to the No.1 position, pushing Rohit down to second place.

A Historic Achievement After 45 Years

This moment holds special significance for New Zealand cricket. The last time a Kiwi batter topped the ODI rankings was back in 1979, when Glenn Turner achieved the feat. After a long span of 45 years, Daryl Mitchell has now reclaimed this honor for his country.

Previous New Zealand Legends Who Fell Short

Over the years several iconic New Zealand batsmen came close to the No.1 ODI spot but could not secure it. These include:

Martin Crowe

The legendary right-hander frequently dominated top five rankings but never reached the top position.

Kane Williamson

Despite being one of the modern greats, Williamson ODI achievements placed him consistently in the top bracket but not at No.1.

Ross Taylor

Another dependable Kiwi batter who made it into the elite list but never claimed the top rank. Mitchell achievement stands out as a rare milestone among these legends.

Century Against West Indies Seals the Top Spot

Mitchell clinched the No.1 rank following his brilliant century in the seventh ODI match against West Indies on Sunday.

During the innings, he also suffered an injury, forcing him to withdraw from the remaining matches of the series.

Despite this setback, his outstanding performance was enough to carry him to the top of the world rankings.

Updated ICC ODI Batting Top 10

According to the latest ICC ODI rankings, Indian batters continue to dominate the list with four players in the top ten:

Indian Players in Top 10

Shreyas Iyer — No. 8

Virat Kohli — No. 5

Shubman Gill — No. 4

Rohit Sharma — No. 2

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Zadran of Afghanistan has secured the third position, maintaining his steady rise in international cricket.