The India–South Africa 3rd ODI turned out to be a crucial match not only for the series but also for the ICC ODI batting rankings race. Both senior Indian stars, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, delivered strong performances, keeping fans engaged in the battle for the world’s No. 1 batter spot.
Kohli Needed a Big Score — and He Delivered
Coming into the match, Virat Kohli needed to outscore Rohit by more than 50 runs to have a real chance of overtaking him in the next ICC rankings update. Kohli looked in superb touch and struck a fast-paced 65 runs off 45 balls, keeping India’s innings moving at high speed.
His innings also helped him gain valuable rating points and push himself closer to the top three.
Rohit Sharma’s 75 Seals His No. 1 Ranking—for Now
While Kohli played aggressively, Rohit Sharma produced a wonderfull knock with a steady 75. Rohit has protected his No. 1 ODI ranking for the upcoming ICC update.
Even though the difference between the two has reduced, Rohit’s consistency ensures he remains the top-ranked ODI batter in the world—at least for now.
Updated ICC Ranking Scenario After 3rd ODI
Based on the expected points movement after the match:
Rohit Sharma will remain at Rank 1.
Virat Kohli is set to jump from Rank 4 to potentially Rank 2, overtaking Ibrahim Zadran and moving much closer to Daryl Mitchell.
The race is tightening, and it sets up an exciting storyline for India’s upcoming ODI fixtures.
Why Kohli Still Has a Strong Chance Going Forward
Although Kohli couldn’t surpass Rohit in this update, his form is clearly rising:
Two strong knocks in the series
Strike rate improvement
Consistency in the middle overs
If he continues playing like this, the gap between him and Rohit could shrink even more in the next international series.
A Rivalry That Benefits Indian Cricket
The friendly competition between Rohit and Kohli is giving Indian fans plenty to celebrate. Two of the greatest ODI batters of this generation fighting for the No. 1 spot only strengthens India’s dominance in world cricket.
As the ICC rankings update approaches on December 10, fans will look eagerly to see just how close Kohli has moved to reclaiming the crown.