A new No. 1 ODI batsman has emerged in world cricket. New Zealand’s middle-order batsman, Daryl Mitchell, has climbed to the top of the ICC ODI rankings. Mitchell achieved this milestone following a remarkable century in the first ODI of the ongoing series against the West Indies. With this century, Mitchell has overtaken India’s Rohit Sharma and risen to No. 1 for the first time in his career.
This is a historic achievement for New Zealand, as Mitchell is the first New Zealand batsman to reach the No. 1 position in the ICC ODI rankings since the introduction of the rankings system in 1987. However, Mitchell is only the second Kiwi batsman to top the rankings in ODI history, with the first being the legendary Glenn Turner in 1979. Mitchell has now joined this prestigious list, thanks to his consistent performances.
Mitchell has been in excellent form for some time. Earlier, during the three-match ODI series against England, he scored two unbeaten fifties. His remarkable consistency in recent months has now propelled him to the top spot in the ODI rankings. Other notable New Zealand players, such as Martin Crowe, Andrew Jones, Roger Twose, Nathan Astle, Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill, and Ross Taylor, have also made it to the top five in the ODI batsmen’s rankings over the years.
Meanwhile, following Pakistan’s ODI series win over Sri Lanka, several Pakistani players have also made significant progress in the rankings. Mohammad Rizwan has moved up five places to share the 22nd spot, while Fakhar Zaman has risen five places to joint 26th.
Pakistani bowlers have also seen improvements in the rankings. Spinner Abrar Ahmed has risen 11 spots to No. 9, and fast bowler Haris Rauf has climbed five spots to No. 23. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan continues to hold the No. 1 spot in the ODI bowlers’ rankings.
In other news, South Africa’s Temba Bavuma has entered the top five in the ODI batsmen’s rankings for the first time in his career. Following his half-century in the Kolkata Test, Bavuma has moved up two places to No. 5. Shubman Gill, despite suffering an injury, has climbed two places and is now ranked 10th. Bangladesh’s captain, Najmul Hossain, has risen four places to joint 34th following his century against Ireland in the Sylhet Test. Another centurion in the same Test, Mahmudul Hasan, has jumped 19 places to 74th.