Indian opener Shubman Gill has reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI Batting Rankings, overtaking Pakistan’s Babar Azam just before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Gill’s exceptional 112 off 102 balls in the third ODI against England in Ahmedabad propelled him to the top with 796 rating points.
Gill’s Rise to the Top
Gill first held the No. 1 position in November 2023 during the ODI World Cup. His recent match-winning knock helped him regain the top rank, pushing him 23 points ahead of Babar Azam. As India’s vice-captain in ODIs, Gill continues to impress with his consistency and big-game performances.
India’s Strong Batting Line-Up
Shreyas Iyer also climbed one spot to ninth after scoring 78 in the same match. India now enters the eight-team Champions Trophy with four players in the top 10 ODI rankings: Gill (1st), Rohit Sharma (3rd), Virat Kohli (6th), and Iyer (9th).
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Babar Azam and Pakistan’s Batting Form
Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan moved up six places to 15th after solid performances in the recent Tri-Nation Series. Rizwan’s unbeaten 122 against South Africa and 46 against New Zealand played a key role in his rise. Meanwhile, Salman Agha jumped 24 places to 48th after being named Player of the Series for his 219 runs, including a brilliant 134 against South Africa.
South Africa and New Zealand Players Gain Ground
South African batters also made progress. Heinrich Klaasen climbed to fourth, Aiden Markram rose to 25th, and Temba Bavuma moved up five spots to 30th. New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell (5th), Devon Conway (35th), Glenn Phillips (41st), and Tom Latham (42nd) also made notable gains.
Shifts in Bowling Rankings
In the bowling rankings, Sri Lanka’s Mahesh Theekshana replaced Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan at the top. South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj returned to the rankings in sixth position. New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner climbed to seventh, and England’s Adil Rashid moved up three spots to 22nd. Pakistan’s Naseem Shah improved from 48th to 45th.
Anticipation Builds for India vs. Pakistan Clash
The much-anticipated India vs. Pakistan match in the ICC Champions Trophy will take place on February 23 in Dubai. With both teams showcasing form and star-studded line-ups, cricket fans are eagerly waiting for one of the tournament’s biggest showdowns.
Shubman Gill’s rise to the top sets the stage for an exciting Champions Trophy, with India aiming for glory and Pakistan eager to reclaim the spotlight.
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