Former India skipper Rohit Sharma on Wednesday claimed the top spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s ODI batting rankings for the first time in his distinguished career.
The 38-year-old Rohit is the oldest batter ever to achieve the top spot in the ICC men’s ODI batting rankings.
Rohit created history as he rose two spots on the back of his superb unbeaten century (121 not out) in the third and final ODI between India and Australia in Sydney, where he led his side to an emphatic nine-wicket triumph in style.
The experienced right-hander was in a damaging mood alongside fellow India legend Virat Kohli (74 not out) as he smashed 13 fours and three massive sixes on his way to scoring his 33rd ODI century for his country.
India legend Sachin Tendulkar is the only other batter to top the charts after the age of 38, having recorded the feat in 2011 in the Test format.
Rohit gained 36 rating points from 741 to reach 781 and dethroned his India teammate and fellow opener Shubman Gill to claim the top spot.
Previously, Rohit had reached a career-high 882 rating points at No. 2 during the 2019 World Cup where he slammed a record five centuries.
The former skipper wasn’t the only India player to make some ground on the updated rankings this week, with spinner Axar Patel rewarded for a strong game in Sydney with gains in both the bowling and all-rounder category.
Axar jumped six places to 31st behind No.1 ranked Rashid Khan on the list for ODI bowlers and improves four spots to eighth overall behind Azmatullah Omarzai on the rankings for ODI all-rounders.
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Inside the top 10 for ODI bowlers, there are gains for New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner (up three rungs to fourth) and Australia seamer Josh Hazlewood (up two spots to eighth), while England right-hander Harry Brook improves 23 spots to move to 25th overall on the list for ODI batters.
