At 38, Rohit Sharma continues to prove why he’s one of the greats. Without playing an ODI for India since March, the Hitman has climbed to second in the ICC ODI batting rankings. The boost comes after Babar Azam’s underwhelming series against the West Indies, where the Pakistan skipper scored just 56 runs in three matches.
Babar dropped to No. 3, allowing Rohit to leap into second with 756 points — just behind table-topper Shubman Gill, who leads with 784.
From 2019 World Cup Glory to 2025 Comeback
Rohit’s career-best ODI points came during the 2019 World Cup, where he smashed a record fifth century in the tournament, reaching 882 points. In the latest rankings, India boasts four batters in the top-10: Gill (No. 1), Rohit (No. 2), Virat Kohli (No. 4), and Shreyas Iyer (No. 8), with KL Rahul at No. 15.
Fans Celebrate Ahead of October Return
Rohit fans erupted online, celebrating his return to the top two despite his absence from competitive cricket since the IPL 2025. Initially expected to play against Bangladesh in August, his comeback was delayed due to the series’ postponement. Now, Rohit is set to return in October against Australia, with matches in Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney starting October 19.
Speculation Over Captaincy Future
While Rohit prepares for a busy ODI calendar leading to the 2027 World Cup, speculation swirls over whether Shubman Gill could take over the ODI captaincy. The BCCI has yet to make any announcements, focusing first on finalising India’s Asia Cup squad and preparing for the T20 World Cup at home next year.
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