The cricketing world was left stunned when the latest ICC ODI rankings were released without two of India’s most celebrated names—Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. For years, both have been fixtures at the top of the charts, consistently delivering world-class performances and raising the bar in limited-overs cricket. Their absence sparked widespread debate, with fans questioning whether this was an error or a deliberate update based on ICC’s ranking criteria. According to ICC, the system is purely data-driven and depends on consistent participation and recent performances. Since both players have played fewer ODIs in recent months, their ranking points could not sustain a place in the updated table. ICC emphasized that this is not a reflection of their greatness, but a direct outcome of the ranking formula that values match-to-match consistency, frequency of games, and impact in ongoing series. For supporters, however, the disappointment was hard to digest because Kohli and Rohit have been symbols of Indian batting dominance for more than a decade, often carrying the team on their shoulders in crucial tournaments.
In its clarification, ICC highlighted that rankings are designed to represent the current competitive scenario, not the overall legacy of a player. The absence of Kohli and Rohit is therefore seen as temporary, especially with both likely to return for upcoming international fixtures. Experts also believe that once they start playing more regularly, their names will quickly reappear in the top lists, given their ability to score runs under pressure. What makes this development significant is the way it underlines a transition period in world cricket, where younger players are climbing the charts while legends take selective breaks. For fans, this serves as a reminder that ICC rankings are dynamic and ever-changing, while the stature of players like Kohli and Rohit remains untouchable. Despite not being featured in the list this time, their contribution to ODI cricket is already cemented in history, and their next comeback is eagerly awaited. If anything, this incident has only intensified the anticipation for their return, proving that even outside the rankings, these two names continue to dominate the conversation in world cricket.
