Rohit Sharma Tops ICC ODI Rankings Ahead of SA Series

Timing is everything in cricket—and Rohit Sharma couldn’t have scripted his comeback better. Just days before India’s highly anticipated ODI series against South Africa kicks off in November 2025, the Indian skipper has soared back to the top of the ICC ODI batting rankings, dethroning New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell in a dramatic shift at the pinnacle of world cricket .

This isn’t just another stat for Rohit’s glittering cabinet—it’s a powerful statement of form, consistency, and enduring class in a format where the margins between greatness and obscurity are razor-thin. At 38, while many contemporaries have hung up their boots, the ‘Hitman’ is rewriting narratives and reminding everyone why he remains India’s most trusted ODI opener.

Table of Contents

• Rohit Sharma ICC ODI Rankings: The Climb Back
• Beating Daryl Mitchell: What Changed?
• Impact on India vs South Africa Series
• Rohit Sharma’s ODI Legacy by the Numbers
• Other Notable ICC Ranking Movements
• What This Means for His Captaincy
• Conclusion
• Sources

Rohit Sharma ICC ODI Rankings: The Climb Back

Rohit last held the No.1 ODI batting rank in early 2023. Since then, a mix of rotation policies, brief dips in form, and aggressive white-ball scheduling saw him slip behind stars like Babar Azam and, more recently, Daryl Mitchell .

But his performances in the 2025 Asia Cup and a stellar home ODI series against Australia—where he scored 189 runs at an average of 63.00, including a match-winning 112 in Chennai—earned him crucial rating points. The ICC’s algorithm, which weighs recent form heavily (especially over the last 12–18 months), finally tipped in his favor .

Now at 847 rating points, Rohit edges out Mitchell (845) by just two—a symbolic margin that underscores how competitive the top tier has become.

Beating Daryl Mitchell: What Changed?

Daryl Mitchell’s fall from No.1 isn’t due to poor form—he averaged 45 in New Zealand’s recent ODI series against Pakistan—but rather inactivity. With New Zealand playing fewer ODIs in 2025 compared to India’s packed schedule, Mitchell’s rating points decayed slightly under ICC’s rolling system .

Meanwhile, Rohit’s consistent presence at the top of India’s order—and his ability to convert starts into big scores—gave him the edge. In his last 10 ODIs, he’s scored 487 runs at a strike rate of 94.20, proving he can blend aggression with longevity.

Impact on India vs South Africa Series

The timing couldn’t be more perfect. India faces a resurgent South Africa side in a 3-match ODI series beginning November 29, 2025—a crucial warm-up ahead of the 2027 World Cup cycle .

Rohit’s No.1 ranking adds psychological weight to his leadership. Facing a pace-heavy Proteas attack featuring Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, his experience and calmness at the crease will be vital—not just for runs, but for setting the tone.

As captain, he now leads from the front—not just in the dressing room, but in the official world rankings.

Rohit Sharma’s ODI Legacy by the Numbers

While the ranking is momentary, Rohit’s ODI stats tell a story of sustained excellence:

• 48 centuries (most in ODI history)
• Over 10,000 ODI runs
• Three double-centuries (the only player to achieve this)
• Winning captain in 65% of his ODI matches

His ability to dominate in all conditions—from Nagpur to Nottingham—makes him a global benchmark. And now, with the No.1 tag back in his name, he’s poised to add another chapter to his legacy.

Other Notable ICC Ranking Movements

The latest ICC update wasn’t just about Rohit. Elsewhere:

• Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) has been crowned the No.1 T20I all-rounder, thanks to match-winning performances in the T20I series against Nepal and Scotland .
• In Test cricket, Marnie Labuschagne (Australia) climbed to No.2 after his twin fifties in the recent series against West Indies.
• Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto entered the top 10 Test batters for the first time, following his 128 in Mirpur against Sri Lanka.

What This Means for His Captaincy

Rohit’s return to No.1 isn’t just personal glory—it reinforces his authority as India’s ODI leader. With the 2027 World Cup looming, selectors and fans alike want a captain who leads by example. This ranking validates his decision to continue playing white-ball cricket despite workload concerns .

For young guns like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rajat Patidar, seeing their skipper top the world charts is both motivation and a masterclass in longevity.

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Conclusion

Rohit Sharma ICC ODI rankings No.1 status is more than a headline—it’s proof that class, consistency, and calmness under pressure still rule in modern cricket. As India prepares to face South Africa, Rohit isn’t just chasing series wins; he’s chasing immortality. And right now, he’s sitting right where he belongs: at the very top.

Sources

• Times of India: Rohit Sharma returns to World No.1 in ODIs just before South Africa series opener
• ICC Official ODI Batting Rankings
• ESPNCricinfo: Rohit Sharma Career Stats