Shubman Gill, the star Indian opening batter, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the new world No. 1 ODI batter.
On Wednesday, February 19, Gill overtook Pakistan’s former captain Babar Azam in the ICC rankings. The 25-year-old from Punjab now boasts 796 rating points, surpassing Babar’s 773 by a margin of 23 points. This marks the second time in Gill’s career that he has claimed the top spot in the ODI rankings.
Gill’s ascent in the rankings comes on the back of his outstanding performances in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against England. He showcased his brilliance with the bat, starting with a solid 87-run knock from 96 balls in the series opener at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur on February 6. He continued his fine form in the second match at Cuttack’s Barabati Stadium, scoring 60 runs from 52 balls. The final encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 19 saw Gill at his absolute best as he anchored the innings with a commanding 112-run performance.
With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaching, Indian team management and fans alike are hopeful that Gill will maintain his scintillating form and play a crucial role in India’s pursuit of their third title triumph in the tournament’s history.
Adding to India’s dominance in the ODI rankings, middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer has also made strides, moving up one place to secure the No. 9 spot. Iyer, who registered scores of 59, 44, and 78 in the series against England, now holds 679 rating points, further strengthening India’s batting prowess in international cricket.
