A sizzling 135 off 120 balls by Virat Kohli for the national team during the first ODI against South Africa has once again thrown him into the global limelight-but more importantly, it has restarted his chase for the top batting crown in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 cycle. That knock has directly translated into a sharp climb in the latest ICC ODI batting rankings.
Virat Kohli held the number-one ranking for more than three years until April 2021, before being displaced by others. Now, at 37, the veteran finds himself in striking distance of reclaiming the throne. The Ranchi knock may well prove a turning point.
What is Virat Kohli’s Current ICC Ranking?
In the ICC rankings system, a batter’s rating speaks to consistency, recent form, and quality of opposition. A jump into the 750s is more than symbolic: it points to the player being among the most in-form and dependable in the world.
For Kohli, 751 means he is not resting on past laurels but is proving he remains highly competitive against top-tier international attacks. As long as he continues to convert starts into big scores and maintains a high average across matches, the margin of 32 points is eminently bridgeable.
Virat Kohli Scores 52nd ODI Hundred Against South Africa
While 135 in Ranchi marked his 52nd ODI century, that itself is not enough for a ranking jump unless underpinned by overall consistency. ICC rankings reward frequent high scores, adaptability across conditions, and performance under pressure.
As the South Africa series gets underway, Kohli has a plethora of chances now to consolidate his rise. A half-century or a century, more especially in stringent conditions, will not only serve to increase his average but also strengthen his case for the top slot. Each run now carries extra weight.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI Future and ICC Ranking
Presently, Kohli is trailing Rohit Sharma. For him to overhaul the present leader, two things need to be done: consistency on his part and Rohit not scoring heavily in the next 1–2 games. With both of them playing in the top order and conditions, especially for ODIs in India, generally on the batting-friendly side, the onus is clearly on Kohli to turn form into numbers.
Also, ICC ratings consider the recent matches, so a bad innings or two could pull his rating down. Thus, even as the window is open, it is narrow. For now, as the 52nd hundred steals the headlines, the real story is the hunt for the ICC crown. Just 32 points away, Kohli stands at the threshold, and the coming ODIs will determine whether the resurgence translates into a return.
