Indian cricket fans have another reason to celebrate as Rohit Sharma has leapfrogged Pakistan’s Babar Azam to grab the No. 2 spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings. The update came on August 13, 2025, and what’s remarkable is that the Indian skipper achieved this without playing an ODI since the 2025 IPL.

This surprise move has shaken up the top order of the rankings and created an intense three-way battle for the No. 1 position between Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Babar Azam.

How Did Rohit Move Up Without Playing?

It’s not often you see a player rising in ICC rankings while sitting on the sidelines. But Rohit Sharma has done exactly that. The change comes mainly due to Babar Azam’s dip in form during Pakistan’s recent ODI series against the West Indies.

Babar, who was just 16 points behind Shubman Gill before the series, had a golden chance to claim the top spot. Unfortunately, scores of 47, 0, and 9 in the three ODIs caused his ranking points to drop significantly — from 770+ to 751. This opened the door for Rohit, whose consistent past performances still hold significant ranking weight.

The Current Top 5 ODI Batters

Here’s how the top five ODI batters stand after the August 13 update:

Notably, India holds three spots in the top five, showcasing their dominance in the ODI format.

India’s Strong Presence in ODI Rankings

India currently boasts five players in the top 15 of the ODI batting rankings:

• Shubman Gill – No. 1

• Rohit Sharma – No. 2

• Virat Kohli – No. 4

• Shreyas Iyer – No. 8

• KL Rahul – No. 15

This is a rare display of batting depth and a testament to India’s consistent run in limited-overs cricket.

Virat Kohli’s Quiet Chase

While much of the spotlight is on Gill, Rohit, and Babar, Virat Kohli is quietly lurking at No. 4 with 736 points. He hasn’t played an ODI since the Champions Trophy 2025, but with a three-match ODI series against Australia in October, he will have a chance to climb up again.

Kohli’s form in ICC events has been exceptional, and any good run in Australia could see him push back into the top three.

BCCI’s Wait-and-Watch Approach

Interestingly, this rankings shake-up comes amid speculation about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s future in ODI cricket. Reports suggest both might consider retiring from the format after the Australia tour in October 2025.

However, the BCCI is in no rush to take a decision. For now, both senior players remain crucial to India’s ODI plans, especially with the 2026 Champions Trophy in mind.

When Will Rohit & Kohli Return to ODIs?

• Last ODI played: Champions Trophy 2025

• Missed series: Bangladesh (postponed to next year)

• Next series: October 2025, Australia tour (3 ODIs)

This gap means the October series will be their first ODI action in months, and potentially their last before making career decisions.

The Battle for No. 1 – Can Rohit Catch Gill?

Shubman Gill currently leads the rankings with 784 points, ahead of Rohit Sharma’s 756. That’s a 28-point gap, which could be closed with just a couple of big innings in October.

Given Rohit’s track record against Australia and his ability to score big in high-pressure series, cricket fans might witness an all-Indian 1-2 in the ODI rankings for the first time in years.

ODI Bowling Rankings – India Still Strong

While the focus is on batting, the latest update also brought news in the bowling department:

• Maheesh Theekshana (Sri Lanka) – No. 1 with 671 points

• Kuldeep Yadav (India) – No. 2

• Ravindra Jadeja (India) – No. 9

• Gudakesh Motie (West Indies) – Jumps to 12th after taking 4 wickets in 3 matches against Pakistan

India’s presence in both batting and bowling rankings highlights their balanced ODI squad.

Why Rankings Changes Matter Now

The ICC ODI rankings are not just numbers on paper. They play a big role in:

• Team Seeding: For ICC events like the Champions Trophy and World Cup qualifiers.

• Player Confidence: A high ranking boosts confidence before big tournaments.

• Selection Decisions: Coaches and selectors often consider form reflected in rankings.

With just months to go before major series and tournaments, every point in the rankings could influence strategy.

Key Takeaways

• Rohit Sharma moves to No. 2 in ODI rankings despite not playing since IPL 2025.

• Babar Azam’s poor form against West Indies drops him to No. 3.

• Shubman Gill holds on to No. 1 with a narrow lead.

• India dominates with five players in the top 15.

• Next big test for Rohit and Kohli will be the Australia ODI series in October.

Final Word

The ICC rankings update on August 13, 2025, has added extra spice to the cricketing rivalry between India and Pakistan. Rohit Sharma’s climb to No. 2 without playing is a reminder of his past consistency and the importance of maintaining form over time.

With Shubman Gill still at the top and Virat Kohli waiting for his turn, India’s ODI batting unit looks stronger than ever. The October series against Australia could decide whether Rohit becomes the No. 1 ODI batter — or if Babar Azam can make a comeback.

One thing is certain: the battle for the top spot is far from over.