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India‘s seasoned captain, Rohit Sharma, is steadily climbing the ladder to challenge Pakistan‘s Babar Azam for the coveted number-one spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Batter Rankings. A stellar performance in the recent series against Sri Lanka propelled Rohit one place up to the second position, surpassing his teammate, Shubman Gill.
Rohit Sharma’s climb to the top
Rohit is making a strong push to dethrone Babar as the world’s number-one ODI batter. His recent performance in the series against the islanders has been instrumental in his ascent up the rankings.
Key factors in the Indian skipper’s rise:
- Consistent Performance: Rohit has been in excellent form, showcasing his ability to anchor the Indian innings and accelerate when needed. His consistent run-scoring has significantly boosted his ranking.
- Dominant Show: Rohit has consistently delivered match-winning innings, showcasing his ability to adapt to different match situations. His big hundreds and crucial partnerships have been instrumental in India’s victories.
- Improved Conversion Rate: In recent times, Rohit has shown a greater tendency to convert his starts into substantial scores. This has led to a significant increase in his average and strike rate.
- Leadership Impact: As India’s captain, Rohit’s understanding of match situations and ability to guide the team’s innings have positively influenced his batting.
- Technical Refinements: Over the years, Rohit has continuously worked on his batting technique, resulting in greater consistency and adaptability to different bowling attacks.
- Head-to-Head Battles: Rohit’s performances against top-ranked bowling attacks have been commendable. His ability to score runs against quality opposition has propelled him up the rankings.
🚨 ROHIT SHARMA ACHIEVES CAREER JOINT BEST ICC RANKINGS..!!! 🚨
– The Hitman moves to No.2 position in the ICC ODI Rankings. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/RUyDTCTVVv
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 14, 2024
Also READ: Not Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli! Wasim Jaffer names 3 Indian players crucial for BGT 2024-25 win over Australia
Openers dominate rankings
The ODI batting charts have witnessed a surge in the fortunes of openers, with Indian and Sri Lankan batters making significant strides. While Babar maintains his stronghold at the top, the pressure is mounting as Rohit and Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka close in.
Nissanka’s impressive contribution of 101 runs in the series against India earned him a spot in the top eight, showcasing his growing stature in the ODI arena.
Sri Lanka’s resurgence
Sri Lanka’s historic victory over India after a 27-year hiatus has been reflected in the rankings. Kusal Mendis climbed five spots to share the 39th position, while Avishka Fernando made a remarkable leap of 20 places to reach the 68th spot.
Other notable movers
Beyond the Indian and Sri Lankan contingent, other players have also made noteworthy progress. Netherlands‘ hard-hitting opener Max O’Dowd ascended 10 places to occupy the 54th position. Similarly, USA‘s Monank Patel surged 11 spots to share the 56th rank.
In the bowling department, USA’s Nosthush Kenjige and Sri Lanka’s spinner Dunith Wellalage were the standout performers. Kenjige climbed 10 rungs to reach the 49th spot, while Wellalage’s impressive showing earned him a 17-spot jump to the 59th position.
As the ODI cricket landscape continues to evolve, the battle for the top spot between Rohit and Babar is set to intensify, adding an extra layer of excitement to the upcoming matches.
