Shubman Gill dethrones Babar Azam to become World’s No.1 ODI batter

Shubman Gill has officially become the No.1 ODI batter in the ICC rankings, surpassing Pakistan’s Babar Azam after an exceptional performance in the recently concluded three-match series against England. His dominance with the bat has placed him at the top spot with 796 rating points, while Babar has slipped to 776 points.

The 24-year-old Gill has been in remarkable form, scoring 259 runs in the England series, including one century and two fifties at an average of 86.33. His consistency and ability to anchor the innings have made him a crucial asset for Team India ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This ranking surge also comes soon after he was promoted to India’s vice-captaincy in ODIs, a decision that has seemingly boosted his confidence.

Gill’s rise to the top has been rapid, with his steady performances over the past year pushing him closer to Babar Azam, who had held the No.1 ranking since April 2021. In the latest ICC update, Gill gained 15 points, while Babar dropped 13 points, marking a significant shift at the top of the rankings table.

India now boasts four batters in the top 10 ODI rankings, underlining the team's batting strength. Rohit Sharma is ranked third, Virat Kohli sixth, and Shreyas Iyer ninth. Apart from Gill, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel have also been in great form in the build-up to the Champions Trophy, providing India with multiple in-form options.

However, senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been inconsistent in recent matches, scoring one century and one fifty each but struggling to maintain their usual dominance. With India set to face Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in the group stage of the Champions Trophy, the team will rely on young players like Gill to step up on the big stage.