In a major reshuffle in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s One-Day International (ODI) rankings for batting in January 2026 New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell has been named one of the planet’s No.1 ODI batter, overtaking Indian famous batting star Virat Kohli who’s brief rise to the top was brief. The most recent rankings, which were released at the 21st of January, 2026 show significant changes towards the top of the world’s ODI the batting order, including three Indian cricketers including Kohli, Rohit Sharma as well as Shubman Gill as part of the top five players, along with the Afghan’s Ibrahim Zadran.
Mitchell’s climb to the summit comes after an stunning performance in the just concluded 3 match ODI match with New Zealand and India which resulted in Mitchell’s Black Caps secure their first bilateral ODI series win on Indian ground in over the last 37 years. Mitchell’s high-scoring run total and a rousing innings were the key to the historic win.
According to the latest ICC ODI rankings for batting on the 21st of January 2026:
- Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand) — 845 rating points
- Virat Kohli (India) — 795 rating points
- Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan) — 764 rating points
- Rohit Sharma (India) — 757 rating points
- Shubman Gill (India) — 723 rating points
Mitchell’s climb to the No.1 position is a major milestone in his career. The right-handed batsman of 34 years old racked up 352 runs during the series of three games against India which was the most runs for a batter playing in an ODI series of three matches in India and the third most overall in all of the series’ history. His contribution included two centuries, including an record-setting 137 in the final match of the series in the series decider at Holkar Stadium in Indore which was in which he was an outstanding player in India’s Black Caps.
Mitchell’s tour in India was marked by three high-impact, consistent innings, scoring the 84th, a 131th unbeaten and 137 performances which brought him an award of player of the Series award and helped him climb to the top ratings points for ODI batters.
For Kohli his part, the change in rank does not affect his stellar performances in the weeks prior to the most recent update. The Indian batting legend was briefly in contention for the No.1 ODI spot in January, following sustained high scores in international matches. However, Mitchell’s extraordinary runs and consistent performance in India has resulted in Kohli drop one spot to No.2 with 795 points.
Alongside the shifts in the positions of No.1 in addition to the changes at No.1 and No.2, Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran increased his position up to No.3, reflecting his increasing stature on the global ODI batsman’s scene. Zadran’s impressive form in recent games has seen him relegate Rohit Sharma who currently is fourth in the rankings at 757.
The strength of India’s batting is highlighted by the presence of Shubman Gill who is No.5 in the rankings with 723 ratings points. Gill was captain of India during the tri-match ODI game with New Zealand, has maintained steady scoring, which keeps him in the top five in the ODI batsman rankings.
The rankings also highlight the increasing competitiveness of ODI batsmen across countries. Outside of the top five spots, many players from different nations are prominently featured in the top 15 such as India’s Babar Azam and the Irish’s Harry Tector and Harry Tector from Ireland, West Indies’ Shai Hope in addition to the Sri Lankan Charith Asalanka. Indians KL Rahul along with Shreyas Iyer are also among the top 15 players, indicating the depth of the Indian batsmen’s unit.
The most recent ICC rankings update was important not just because Mitchell’s climb up to No.1 but also for the information it tells us about the underlying dynamics of the male ODI standard of batting in the early part of 2026. It also reveals the impact of bilateral series with high stakes such as that of the New Zealand tour of India and the Indian tour of New Zealand on rankings globally, and individual performances in marquee games significantly impacting ratings points and overall standings.
Mitchell’s accomplishment will be remembered as being one of the most memorable individual batting performances this early season especially against a crowded field of established cricketers such as Kohli as well as Rohit Sharma. Mitchell’s ability to maintain the highest scores under various conditions and against the best bowling techniques demonstrates his growth to become one of the best ODI players of his time.
For Indian cricket enthusiasts the rankings provide an interesting picture. While Virat Kohli is still near the summit due to his impressive run-scoring record and consistency however, the No.1 position is a hotly disputable. Rohit Sharma as well as Shubman Gill’s rankings are a reflection of their continuing contribution for the Indian ODI squad as both players have demonstrated their resilience and ability in recent games.
The ICC Men’s ODI rankings for batting serve as an official benchmark for the performance of players over a long time period. Rating points are determined based on recent games in opposition strength and the consistent scoring. The changes in these rankings typically reflect shifting form and highlight significant moments in the careers of players.
A thorough examination of the most recent top five list highlights the global range of batting talent as well as the changing competitive landscape in ODI cricket with players from a variety of countries competing for the highest honors. The position in the Afghan’s Ibrahim Zadran at No.3 highlights the rising talent away from the established powerhouses, and the inclusion in the top five of 3 Indian batsmen among the top five players is a testament to the quality and depth of India’s batsmen.
In the end, the most recent ICC ODI batsman rankings offer an exhaustive overview of the current order in the men’s one day international cricket, highlighting exceptional individual performances as well as general global trends in the game.
