Edgbaston: Shubman Gill has edged closer to becoming the world’s No. 1 ODI batter following his match-winning performance against England in the opening ODI at Edgbaston. The India captain’s composed 80-run knock has propelled him within touching distance of the top spot in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s ODI Batting Rankings.

Gill’s innings, which came off 75 deliveries and included 11 boundaries and a six, earned him a 12-point boost in rating points. He now trails current No. 1 Daryl Mitchell by just 11 points, setting up an intense battle for the top ranking in the coming matches.

Gill leads India’s strong comeback in ODIs

Returning to the ODI setup alongside senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, Gill showcased maturity and composure while anchoring India’s chase. Although he had to retire hurt on 80, his effort laid the foundation for a crucial victory.

The win was particularly significant for India, helping them recover from a difficult run that included a 4-0 T20I series loss to England and a setback against Ireland. Gill’s leadership and batting form have been central to India’s resurgence in the 50-over format.

Mitchell holds top spot amid tight race

While Gill surged in the rankings, Mitchell retained his No. 1 position after consistent performances against the West Indies. His tally of 93 runs in the first two ODIs ensured he stayed ahead, though the gap has narrowed considerably.

The contest between Gill and Mitchell is expected to intensify as the series progresses, with every innings potentially influencing the top ranking.

All-round contributions seal India’s win

India’s chase briefly stumbled after Gill’s injury, but Axar Patel and Washington Sundar steadied the innings with an unbeaten century partnership. Axar remained not out on 57 off 52 balls, while Sundar contributed an unbeaten 52 from 63 deliveries.

Axar delivered a standout all-round performance, having earlier picked up 4/62, which earned him the Player of the Match award. His efforts were reflected across rankings, as he jumped 18 places to 73rd among batters, climbed to 42nd in bowling rankings, and broke into the top 10 of the ODI all-rounders’ list at ninth.

Sundar also made notable gains, rising 24 places to 177th among batters and improving to 55th in the all-rounders’ rankings.

England players make gains despite defeat

England’s Joe Root impressed with a steady 76, which lifted him to joint 12th in the batting rankings. Liam Dawson also made significant progress, climbing 81 places after scoring 68.

Despite the loss, England’s individual performances ensured movement in the rankings, highlighting the competitive nature of the series.

Global ODI performances impact rankings

Elsewhere, several players made significant strides in the rankings due to ongoing international series. New Zealand pacer Jayden Lennox recorded a career-best 5/19, moving up 31 places to joint 66th among bowlers. West Indies quick Alzarri Joseph climbed to 36th after a strong showing.

Among batters, West Indies captain Shai Hope rose to sixth following an unbeaten 87, while Keacy Carty entered the top 20 after consistent performances.

In the Zimbabwe-Bangladesh series, Ben Curran jumped 31 places to 34th, while all-rounder Brad Evans made massive gains across categories after being named Player of the Series.

T20I rankings also see major shifts

The latest T20I rankings reflected England’s dominance in the recently concluded series against India. Captain Harry Brook climbed to seventh after scoring 229 runs, including an unbeaten 95 in the final match.

Jos Buttler also moved up to sixth following a career-best 131, while fast bowler Jofra Archer advanced to joint 18th after taking seven wickets.

Conclusion

Shubman Gill’s rise in the ODI rankings underlines his growing stature as one of world cricket’s leading batters. With consistent performances and strong leadership, he is now on the verge of achieving the coveted No. 1 ranking.

As the ongoing series unfolds, the battle at the top between Gill and Daryl Mitchell promises to be one of the key narratives in international cricket. For India, Gill’s form signals a positive direction as they build towards major upcoming tournaments.