Cricket fans are scratching their heads over the latest ICC ODI rankings, and for good reason: Indian superstars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are nowhere to be found. What makes it so bizarre is that both were top-ranked players just a few days ago. Naturally, almost everyone is assuming it has to be a technical glitch in the system.
And what makes this so weird is that just last week, Rohit was ranked #2 among ODI batsmen, with Kohli right behind him at number four. They locked in those spots after India’s huge Champions Trophy win in the UAE—a tournament Rohit basically sealed himself with that incredible match-winning knock in the final. Everyone remembers that innings. It was the moment India proved to the world they were back on top in ODI cricket.
The updated list released on August 20 now has Shubman Gill at the top with 756 points, followed by Pakistan’s Babar Azam at 751. The top 10 also includes Daryl Mitchell of New Zealand, Charith Asalanka of Sri Lanka, Harry Tector of Ireland, and India’s Shreyas Iyer. Iyer is the only other Indian, besides Gill, in the top tier at sixth place with 704 points.
This all makes more sense when you look at their recent track record. Neither Rohit nor Kohli has actually played in an ODI since the Champions Trophy back in February. Their international careers have been winding down, starting with their T20I retirement right after India’s historic 2024 World Cup victory.
And it wasn’t just T20s; they soon bowed out of Test cricket as well. This all followed a tough season on the road, which had already left many wondering how much longer the two legends would keep playing.
So, what’s the official word? So far, the ICC isn’t talking. While it could just be a technical bug that needs fixing, the lack of an immediate correction has people wondering. Fans are now asking if this is a simple error that will be sorted out, or if it’s the start of a new rule for players who’ve been inactive for a while.
So, with the big names missing, Shubman Gill is pretty much carrying the torch for India’s batting right now. It also means guys like Iyer will likely have to take on a much bigger role soon.
Pulling Sharma and Kohli from the list fundamentally changes the landscape. These have been your most bankable scorers for a decade. Their absence creates a power vacuum, and the immediate question isn’t just about the rankings—it’s about succession and the team’s identity moving forward.
