Virat Kohli has returned to the top of the ICC Men’s ODI Rankings following a sensational run in recent white-ball cricket. The Indian star struck three half-centuries and two centuries in just five innings, underlining a strong comeback after a brief dip in form.
Kohli began his resurgence after a couple of modest outings in Australia, finishing the tour with a fighting half-century. He then dominated the South Africa series, scoring back-to-back centuries followed by a brisk fifty to help India clinch the ODI series.
The former India captain also marked his return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy after 15 years, representing Delhi and making an immediate impact with a century and a half-century in the premier domestic one-day tournament.
Kohli carried his form into the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand, starting with a classy 93 in the first match before making 23 in the second. His knock in the opening ODI was enough to push him back to the No.1 spot in the rankings, ending a wait of 1,401 days at the top.
However, Kohli’s stay at the summit could be short-lived. He currently sits on 785 rating points, just one ahead of New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, who has been in outstanding form against India. Mitchell is placed second with 784 points after playing a match-winning knock in the second ODI at Rajkot.
Mitchell has already scores of 84 and an unbeaten 131 in the series so far. If Kohli fails to produce a big innings in the third and final ODI and Mitchell continues his rich run of form, the New Zealand batter could overtake him in the rankings.
The ICC will release the updated ODI rankings on January 21, following the conclusion of the series.
