Rohit Sharma etched his name in cricketing history by becoming the oldest Indian player to reach the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings. At 38 years and 182 days, the Indian opener climbed two positions to achieve this milestone for the first time in his career, surpassing current captain Shubman Gill.
His remarkable rise came on the back of a dominant display in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia. Rohit emerged as the leading run-scorer in the three-match series and was named the Player of the Series after accumulating 202 runs at an astonishing average of 101. In contrast, Shubman Gill managed only 43 runs in the same series.
A New Leader At The Top
Rohit now leads the ODI batting charts with 781 rating points, followed by Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran at second with 764 points, while Gill slipped to third. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli, who returned to form with an unbeaten 74 in the third ODI, climbed to the sixth spot with 725 points.
Another Indian batter, Shreyas Iyer, also saw improvement, moving up to ninth despite not batting in the final match. This reshuffle among Indian players highlights the intense competition within the team’s top order, as well as Rohit’s ability to remain consistent despite his age and changing roles within the squad.
Rohit’s Response To Retirement Speculations
The achievement comes at a crucial time in Rohit’s career, amid increasing talks about his ODI future. With Shubman Gill recently appointed as India’s new ODI captain before the Australia series, several fans and cricket analysts speculated that Rohit might soon bid farewell to the format.
However, his recent performances have silenced those doubts, showcasing his class and determination. During his Australian tour, Rohit Sharma delivered two exceptional innings in Adelaide and Sydney, proving that he remains one of the finest ODI batsmen in the world.
Reflecting on his experience, he shared a heartfelt message that hinted at the possibility of his last tour to Australia. “Always love coming here and playing here. Fond memories of 2008. I’m not sure if we’ll be coming back to Australia, but we enjoy our cricket no matter what accolades we achieve,” Rohit said.
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