ICC makes correction in Virat Kohli’s No.1 ODI ranking after fans question it

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has corrected Virat Kohli’s total number of days as the No.1 batter in the ICC Men’s ODI rankings after an earlier figure caused confusion. The initial number shared by the ICC did not fully reflect Kohli’s long-term presence at the top. This led to questions about his position in the all-time rankings list. The issue was later reviewed and updated by the ICC.

Virat Kohli recently returned to the No.1 spot in the ODI batting rankings after his match-winning knock of 93 runs off 91 balls against New Zealand in Vadodara. This performance which helped him to regain the top ranking spot for the first time since July 2021. The update marked another major milestone in his ODI career. However, the statistics shared alongside the rankings drew attention for the wrong reason.

In the first ICC release, Kohli was shown to have spent 825 days as the No.1 ODI batter. This figure also appeared in a chart highlighting batters with the most days at the top. The number seemed low given Kohli’s long career and multiple returns to No.1. As a result, fans and experts quickly pointed out the inconsistency.

Corrected Record Puts Kohli Among the Greats

The ICC has now revised the data and confirmed that Virat Kohli has actually spent 1,547 days as the No.1 ODI batter. This correction makes him the Indian batter with the most days at the top of the ODI rankings. It also makes him the third-highest scorer in the list of all-time top scores. Only West Indies legends Viv Richards and Brian Lara are ahead of him.

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Viv Richards leads the list with 2,306 days as the No.1 ODI batter, followed by Brian Lara with 2,079 days. With the updated figure, Kohli now sits above several modern-era greats. The change gives a clearer picture of his consistency over many years. It also highlights his ability to return to the top across different phases of his career.

This correction improves how Kohli’s legacy is viewed in the rankings era. The earlier figure suggested a shorter peak, while the revised total reflects multiple spells at No.1 since his first rise in October 2013. Although the ICC has not explained the error, it likely came from using partial data instead of a cumulative count. With the update in place, Kohli’s long-term dominance in ODI cricket now stands properly recognised.