India duo close in on Babar following Cuttack batting heroics

Movement at the top of the rankings for ODI batters, while an Australia veteran reaches a new career-high rating for Test bowlers.

Tight Race for Top ODI Batter Ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The competition for the top spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings has intensified, with Pakistan’s Babar Azam holding a slim lead over his competitors. However, Indian players Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma are closing in after strong performances in the recent ODI series against England.

Key Updates in the ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings

• Babar Azam maintains his position at the top of the rankings, but his lead is now very narrow.
• Shubman Gill has moved up one place to second, trailing Babar by just five rating points after scoring back-to-back half-centuries against England.
• Rohit Sharma, India’s captain, is also within striking distance, only 13 rating points behind Babar following his outstanding century in Cuttack.

Men’s ODI Batter Rankings

With only one week left until the Champions Trophy 2025 kicks off in Pakistan and the UAE, the competition for the top batter position in 50-over cricket is heating up. The tournament, featuring eight teams, is set to showcase some of the best batsmen in the world.

Other Big Names in the ODI Rankings

Several notable players have re-entered the ODI batter rankings, including:

• Fakhar Zaman (13th)
• Kane Williamson (29th)
• Jos Buttler (38th)
• Devon Conway (tied 40th)
• Joe Root (51st)

These players have recently returned to 50-over cricket, adding depth to the rankings.

Close Race for Top ODI Bowler Position

In the Men’s ODI Bowler Rankings, the competition is just as tight. Only 18 rating points separate the top five bowlers:

• Rashid Khan
• Maheesh Theekshana
• Bernard Scholtz
• Shaheen Afridi
• Kuldeep Yadav

Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja (11th) and Mohammed Shami (13th) from India sit just outside the top 10 following their return to action against England.

Men’s ODI All-Rounder Rankings

• Mohammad Nabi of Afghanistan continues to lead the rankings for ODI all-rounders, maintaining a narrow edge over his competitors.
• Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand captain, has moved up two places to seventh after a solid performance in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy.

Updates in the ICC Men’s Test Rankings

There have also been notable changes in the Test rankings, following recent series victories:

• Australia defeated Sri Lanka in Galle, and Ireland triumphed over Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.
• Usman Khawaja, Australia’s opener, has re-entered the Test batter top 10, moving up two places to ninth after a strong series against Sri Lanka.
• Alex Carey has risen 11 places to 18th in the Test batter rankings following a century in the second match of the series.

Men’s Test Batter Rankings

• Kusal Mendis of Sri Lanka has jumped 14 places to 28th in the Test batter rankings, bolstered by his recent performances.
• Lorcan Tucker (Ireland) has moved up five places to a tie for 49th, while Andy McBrine has made a significant leap, rising 17 places to 70th after Ireland’s Test victory over Zimbabwe.

Men’s Test Bowler Rankings

• Nathan Lyon, the Australian spinner, has reached a new career-high rating and has moved up one spot to fifth in the Test bowler rankings.
• Blessing Muzarabani from Zimbabwe made a significant rise, moving up 14 places to 29th after his standout performance in the Test series against Ireland.

Conclusion

As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaches, the rankings for both batters and bowlers are looking increasingly competitive. With players like Babar Azam, Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and others in strong form, the race for the top positions is set to make the tournament even more exciting. The ODI rankings will continue to shift as players look to solidify their spots ahead of the prestigious event.