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.

🚨ICC deleted this post after massive backlash from Virat Kohli fans and corrected their mistake.

ICC mentioned that Virat Kohli spent 825 days as the No.1 ODI batter, but in reality, he held the top spot for 1,547 days.

How can a big cricketing body like the ICC make such a… pic.twitter.com/2QHC5KMeSV

— Mention Cricket (@MentionCricket) January 15, 2026

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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.

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli replaced another former Indian captain Rohit Sharma on the top place of the ODI batting ranking due to his consistent batting performances in recent matches. 

Virat Kohli scored five consecutive 50+ scores

In the first ODI of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, which was played at Vadodara last Sunday (January 11), Virat Kohli played a match-winning knock that helped Men in Blue to chase the 301-run target in 49 overs after losing six wickets. The Player of the Match Kohli scored 93 off 91 balls with the help of eight fours and one six, as it was the right-handed batter's fifth consecutive 50+ scores, including two centuries. 

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That knock helped Kohli to move to the top position in the ODI batting ranking, while Rohit Sharma has slipped to the no.3 position. It is the first time in four years that Kohli is the no.1-ranked ODI batter, as he previously held this position in July 2021.

Daryl Mitchell climbed one spot in ODI batting ranking

Meanwhile, New Zealand cricketer Daryl Mitchell moved up one spot to grab the second spot in the ODI batting ranking. Mitchell scored 84 off 71 balls with five fours and three sixes to help the Blackcaps manage the 300-run total in the first innings of the Vadodara ODI. 

Indian batters Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer have retained their fifth and 10th places, respectively, in the latest ODI batting ranking. After his crucial match-winning knock in the Vadodara ODI with 29 not out off 21 balls, with the help of two fours and one six, KL Rahul has climbed one place to the 11th position in the ODI batting ranking. 

Many cricket fans were stunned on Wednesday (August 20) while not see the names of two experienced Indian cricketers, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, in the ICC Men's ODI batting rankings. There is a latest development where the International Cricket Council (ICC) has also revealed the reason.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both Indian cricketers, have already retired from the T20I and Test cricket formats. However, they are still officially active in the ODI format. Just like the other formats, Kohli was the previous captain of the Indian ODI team before the present leader Rohit Sharma. 

In the ODI cricket history, Rohit is the 10th leading run-scorer, and Kohli is the third most run-scorer. In the top 10 present ODI batting rankings, there are four Indians, and Rohit is in the second position, and Kohli is in the fourth place. However, on Wednesday, both Kohli and Rohit were briefly missing from the ICC Men's ODI batting rankings. ICC reacted quickly as the ranking was updated with their names. 

There was an error

Later, an ICC spokesperson admitted that it was a technical glitch that was fixed quickly. The spokesperson told Hindustan Times, “There was an error in our rankings tables today, but it has been rectified.”

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Kohli and Rohit last played in ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli last played for India during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which was won by the Men in Blues under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. India remained unbeaten in that tournament. Kohli was the fifth leading run-scorer in the tournament with 218 runs in five innings (average 54.50), including one century and one half-century. Meanwhile, Rohit was the 11th most run-scorer in the tournament with 180 runs in five innings, while the opener won the Player of the Match award in the Final for scoring 76 off 83 balls against New Zealand in the successful 252-run chase. 

India’s victory over New Zealand in Indore completed a clean sweep in the three-match ODI series. They won the first ODI, a high-scoring thriller at Hyderabad by 12 runs, while their seamers helped them to an eight-wicket win at Raipur in the second game. 

And the third and final win means they have now moved to the summit of the Men’s ODI Rankings. A brilliant 212-run opening stand between Rohit Sharma (101) and Shubman Gill (112) set India up for a giant first-innings score of 385/9 in the first innings in Indore. A late flurry from Hardik Pandya (54) and Shardul Thakur (25) helped boost the total, and the pair also played a key role with the ball. Pandya bowled dangerous opener Finn Allen with just the second delivery of the chase, and Thakur picked up three quickfire wickets in the middle overs.

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India claims top spot in ICC Men’s ODI rankings

Including two in two balls – to effectively end New Zealand’s chances. Even a stunning century from Kiwi opener Devon Conway wasn’t enough to deny India the win. England, who had gained the top spot merely three days back following New Zealand’s loss to India in the second ODI, are now in second position, with New Zealand slipping to fourth spot. Prior to Tuesday’s game, all three sides had been tied on 113 points, with their overall points the deciding differential.

But the latest result means that India are now first with 114 rating points. England sit at the second spot with 113 rating points, while Australia move up into third place with their 112 rating points. New Zealand have 111 rating points. If England manage to win their upcoming ODI series against South Africa 3-0, they’ll displace India as the table toppers in the Men’s ODI rankings. With the 90-run win over Tom Latham’s side. The men in blue overtook both England and New Zealand to capture the top spot in the ODI rankings with 114 points. Adding insult to injury, the Blackcaps have also lost their place to Australia. Which rose to the third spot with 112 points.

India will next take on Australia in a three-match ODI series. That is slated to commence on March 17 at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.