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Daryl Mitchell Dethrones Virat Kohli as ICC's Top ODI Batter After Stunning Series

Daryl Mitchell has surged back to the number one position in the ICC ODI batting rankings, displacing Virat Kohli following a phenomenal series in India. Mitchell scored back-to-back centuries and amassed 352 runs to be named Player of the Series, which also secured New Zealand's first-ever ODI series victory on Indian soil. Despite valiant efforts, including a brilliant 124 by Kohli, India lost the series and Kohli slipped to second in the rankings. The rankings also saw movement for Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and a significant jump for New Zealand's Glenn Phillips.

Key Points: Mitchell Tops Kohli in ICC ODI Rankings After NZ Series Win

  • Mitchell regains No.1 ODI ranking
  • Kohli drops to second spot
  • NZ's first-ever ODI series win in India
  • Rohit Sharma slips to fourth
  • Shubman Gill holds fifth position
2 min read

ICC Rankings: Mitchell topples Virat for number one spot following back-to-back centuries

Daryl Mitchell reclaims No.1 ODI ranking, displacing Virat Kohli after scoring back-to-back centuries to seal New Zealand's historic series win in India.

"Mitchell... removed Virat from the top of the charts with two centuries he would cherish for a lifetime. - Report"

New Delhi, January 21

A red-hot Daryl Mitchell outclassed Indian batting icon Virat Kohli to regain his number 1 ranking in the ICC ODI Rankings issued on Wednesday, just a week after 'King Kohli' had taken back his crown for the first time since 2021.

On the back of some impressive batting performances spanning from the Australia tour to the New Zealand ODIs at home put Virat at the top after over four years, but Mitchell, who registered back-to-back centuries to seal Kiwis' first-ever ODI series win in India and became the 'Player of the Series' with 352 runs in three matches, removed Virat from the top of the charts with two centuries he would cherish for a lifetime.

Virat was the second-highest run-getter in the series, with 240 runs, including 93 in the first ODI and a valiant 124 in 108 balls at Indore during a tough run-chase of 338 runs. While Virat's efforts throughout the series took fans back to Virat's days of dominance from 2016-19, it was not enough to give India a series win and him, some more time at the top spot.

With 845 rating points, Mitchell clears Virat (795 points), who is dropped to the second spot. The Kiwi would get to hold on to the top ranking for more time, with loads of T20I action coming up, including the T20 World Cup. His previous reign as the numero uno was cut short for just three days when he was surpassed by Rohit during November following a 'Player of the Series' effort in Australia, which produced 202 runs, including 121* at Sydney.

Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran (third, 764 ranking points) swaps spots with India's Rohit Sharma (fourth, 757). Despite his two fifties, Indian skipper Shubman Gill is at fifth. Glenn Phillips, who scored a quickfire 106 in the ODI series finale, made a 16-spot jump to number 20th.

Phillips also rose 14 spots to equal-31st on the list for ODI all-rounders, where Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai reigns supreme.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Fair play to Daryl Mitchell. He played out of his skin and deserved the series win and the top spot. Our bowling was a bit off-color, to be honest. We need to sort that out before the World Cup.
R
Rohit P
Honestly, these rankings feel a bit fickle. Virat tops it for a week after 4 years, and then loses it because we lost the series? Individual rankings shouldn't be so dependent on team results. Mitchell was great, but was he *that* much better than Kohli this series? Stats say otherwise.
S
Sarah B
As a neutral fan, it's fantastic to see such high-quality cricket. Both batters were sublime. That Indore chase by Kohli was a masterclass in chasing, even in a loss. Cricket is the real winner here.
V
Vikram M
The bigger concern is the middle order. Virat can't do it alone every time. Where were the others when we needed 338? Gill got starts but couldn't convert. We're too reliant on one or two players. Time for some tough calls before the big tournaments.
N
Nikhil C
Mitchell played the series of his life, yaar. Hats off to him. But let's not forget, Virat just got back to #1 after 4 years! That itself is a huge achievement at this stage of his career. He'll be back on top soon, I'm sure. 🇮🇳

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