India National Cricket Team
Updated as of 14 January 2026
The India National Cricket Team continues to underline its stature at the pinnacle of world cricket, with a fresh ICC rankings update confirming a familiar name back where many believe he belongs. Virat Kohli, the backbone of India’s modern batting era, has stormed back to the No.1 position in the ICC Men’s ODI Batters Rankings, following India’s four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the opening ODI at Vadodara.
This milestone is more than a personal accolade—it is a reaffirmation of India’s sustained excellence across formats, driven by experience, depth, and an evolving tactical maturity.
Virat Kohli: Back on Top, Again
Kohli’s return to the summit ends a wait of more than four years, with his previous stint at No.1 dating back to July 2021. His match-winning 93 off 91 balls against New Zealand was vintage Kohli—measured under pressure, relentless in intent, and decisive at the finish.
A purple patch by any standard
Since the 50-over series in Australia, Kohli’s ODI scores read like a masterclass in consistency:
- 74*
- 135
- 102
- 65*
- 93
At 37, Kohli is not merely surviving at the top level—he is redefining longevity in elite batting. His latest knock also pushed him past Sachin Tendulkar into second place on the all-time men’s international run-scoring list, a landmark that further cements his place in cricketing history.
Kohli by the numbers
- 11th different spell as No.1 batter
- 825 days at the top of the ODI rankings
- Most days at No.1 by any Indian batter
While legends like Viv Richards and Brian Lara still top the all-time list, Kohli’s longevity in a far more competitive era stands out.
India’s Batting Core: Stability Meets Firepower
India’s strength lies not only in Kohli’s brilliance but in the stability around him. Captain Rohit Sharma continues to set the tone at the top, while the supporting cast—Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer—gives India unmatched depth in ODI cricket.
This blend of senior leadership and prime-age performers has allowed India to chase down imposing totals, such as New Zealand’s 300 in Vadodara, with composure rather than chaos.
Bowling Unit: Siraj’s Rise Reflects India’s Balance
The rankings update also brought encouraging news for India’s bowling group. Mohammed Siraj climbed five places to No.15 in the ODI bowlers rankings after another impactful performance against New Zealand.
Siraj’s rise highlights a key evolution in India’s white-ball setup: the ability to attack early with pace while maintaining control through the middle overs. With Jasprit Bumrah managed carefully across formats, Siraj has emerged as India’s most reliable ODI strike bowler.
Global Context: New Zealand and Australia Close In
India’s dominance does not exist in isolation.
- Daryl Mitchell surged to within one rating point of Kohli in the ODI batting rankings after a string of high-impact performances, including an 84 in the first ODI and a century against West Indies.
- His teammate Devon Conway climbed three spots to No.29, underlining New Zealand’s batting depth.
Meanwhile, the completion of the Ashes series saw Australia make major gains in the Test rankings:
- Travis Head rose to No.3 after amassing 629 runs at an average of 62.90.
- Strong all-round performances also lifted players like Beau Webster and Michael Neser across multiple categories.
What This Means for India Going Forward
From an expert analytical perspective, Kohli’s return to No.1 is symbolic of something larger:
- India’s ODI structure is stable, even in a transitional global calendar.
- The team can win both high-scoring shootouts and pressure chases.
- Senior players are peaking at the right time, while the next generation is already embedded in the system.
As the New Zealand series progresses and attention shifts toward upcoming global tournaments, India enter 2026 not as a team in transition—but as a benchmark others are trying to catch.
Final Word
Rankings fluctuate. Form ebbs and flows.
But when India’s mainstay returns to No.1, it’s a reminder that greatness—when sustained with discipline—always finds its way back to the top.
