Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma retain top two ODI spots; Mehidy Hasan rockets into top 5 in bowlers rankings

The last time Rohit Sharma played an ODI match for India was more than a year back, on January 19th, 2020 against Australia. In that game, Rohit pulverized the Australian bowling attack and scored a sensational 119 to help India post a seven-wicket victory. But, in spite of his lengthy absence from the ODI arena, the ‘Hitman’ has still managed to grab the second spot in the latest ICC Rankings released by the ICC.

As far as the top spot is concerned, it is occupied by none other than batting maestro Virat Kohli. Kohli was in good form in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against Australia. The Indian skipper scored 173 runs in the series, including two half-centuries as well. Kohli also became only the second Indian batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to cross the 12000 run mark in ODI’s during the series against Australia. As far as Rohit is concerned, the ‘Hitman’ could not feature in India’s limited-overs setup against Australia as he was ruled out due to fitness concerns.

In the list of all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja is the only Indian cricketer in the Top 10 list. The left-arm spinner is currently occupying eighth place. In the three ODI matches that he played against the Aussies, Jadeja scored 115 runs with the bat and picked up a solitary wicket with the ball in hand.

Bumrah the lone Indian bowler in the Top 10

As far as the bowlers are concerned, Jasprit Bumrah is again the only bowler from India to find a place in the Top 10. Bumrah is currently occupying third place in the updated rankings. In the three-match ODI series against Australia, Bumrah picked up 4 wickets at an average of 48.75. His strike rate in the series was 44.20.

As far as the Top 5 ODI batsmen in the rankings are concerned, the third, fourth, and fifth places are occupied by Babar Azam, Ross Taylor, and Aaron Finch respectively. As far as the bowlers are concerned, kiwi pacer Trent Boult and teenage Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman are ahead of Bumrah.

The all-rounder list is topped by Shakib Al Hasan, with Mohammad Nabi, Chris Woakes, Ben Stokes and Imad Wasim completing the Top 5. As far as the Indian side is concerned, they will next play an ODI match only two months later, on 23rd March 2021 against England.