The world of cricket was shocked after the release of the latest ICC ODI rankings on Wednesday as names of India’s two biggest stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were missing.
The absence of the star batsmen, who have stepped down from Test cricket and T20I formats but continue to active in ODIs, ignited a wave of assumptions throughout social media, with supporters and fans questioning whether the veterans had silently retired from the 50-over format as well.
However, the ICC has now cleared the doubt, attributing the missing to a technical glitch.
“A number of issues in this week’s rankings are currently being investigated,” the ICC said.
The comment helped calm the speculation and clear the air around the two stalwarts’ international future in ODIs. Shortly after the clarification, both players’ names were reinstated in the rankings with Rohit Sharma occupying the No. 2 position and Virat Kohli at No. 4. Both are legend batters and have played for India for years helping the country win several matches and trophies.
While the rankings hiccup involving Kohli and Rohit grabbed headlines, there were several significant shifts in the ICC ODI bowling rankings as well. Indian wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has slipped to third place, as South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj climbed back to the top spot. Maharaj’s ascent comes on the back of a stellar performance in the first ODI of their three-match series against Australia in Cairns.
The 35-year-old left-arm spinner delivered a match-winning spell, picking up five wickets for just 33 runs. His impactful performance not only earned him the Player of the Match award but also propelled him past Kuldeep Yadav and Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana in the rankings. Maharaj had briefly held the No. 1 spot in late 2023 and has now reclaimed his place at the summit.
India’s presence in the top 10 bowling rankings remains limited. Apart from Kuldeep, only Ravindra Jadeja finds a place among the elite, underscoring a need for more consistent performances from the rest of India’s bowling lineup in the ODI format.
Elsewhere, there have been some notable movements among other bowlers. West Indies pacer Jayden Seales made a massive leap, climbing 15 spots to reach the 18th position. His rise follows an impressive six-wicket haul (6 for 18) against Pakistan in the final game of their recent three-match series.
After being thoroughly outclassed by Australia, the West Indies staged a remarkable turnaround against Pakistan, defeating the visitors and clinching the series. The emphatic win handed Pakistan a humiliating setback just as they gear up for the Asia Cup, raising serious questions about their form and preparedness.
Other notable movers include Pakistan’s leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, who jumped 15 places to reach joint-39th, and West Indies off-spinner Roston Chase, who moved up five spots to 58th position, reflecting their impactful recent performances.
Interestingly, the Indian team has not featured in any ODI matches since their Champions Trophy triumph, which might have influenced some of the rankings volatility. As more series unfold leading up to upcoming major tournaments, the rankings are expected to fluctuate further, providing a dynamic landscape for players to showcase their skills and climb the charts.
Indian fans are brimming with anticipation as the Asia Cup draws near, hoping that standout performances will see several of their players, both batters and bowlers, rise to the next level in international cricket. With the tournament promising high-voltage encounters, all eyes will be on how the battles unfold. Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh are equally determined to make their mark and lay their hands on the coveted trophy, setting the stage for a fierce and unpredictable contest that could reshape the pecking order in Asian cricket.
