Team India opener Shubman Gill has closed in further on the top sport in the ICC ODI Player Rankings for batters and has ended up just six rating points short of Pakistan skipper Babar Azam in the latest rankings announced on Wednesday. Gill, who missed the first couple of matches in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 due to dengue fever, is at 823 rating points while Babar’s points have slipped to 829 in spite of scoring 74 in the loss to Afghanistan earlier this week.
Babar’s rating points have slipped as he has scored just 157 runs from five innings so far at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, with his most recent effort a fighting 74 in a losing side against Afghanistan in Chennai. Gill has 95 runs from just three matches for India, with the right-hander improving to 823 rating points on the back of his impressive knock of 53 against Bangladesh in Pune.
The India opener isn’t the only player to make inroads on Babar, with in-form South African Quinton de Kock within striking distance in third place on the rankings for ODI batters following a superb start to the World Cup 2023 that has seen him score three magnificent centuries. South Africa teammate Heinrich Klaasen (up seven places to fourth and a new career-high rating) also makes good ground, while experienced duo Virat Kohli (improves three spots) and David Warner (up two spots) share fifth place on the rankings after some good performances in India.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who is the second-highest run-scorer for India in the World Cup 2023, has risen to 8th place as well. Consistent middle-order performer Daryl Mitchell is another player on the rise, with the New Zealander jumping 16 places to 13th overall after 268 runs from four hits at the World Cup.
Australia seamer Josh Hazlewood maintains a narrow lead at the top of the ODI bowler rankings, but the challengers are lining up to overtake him with India quick Mohammed Siraj (up one place to second) his nearest rival after picking up six wickets from five appearances at the World Cup.
South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj rises two places to third and a new career-high rating following his seven wickets at the tournament thus far, while Afghanistan veteran Mohammad Nabi (up four places to sixth) and Australia tweaker Adam Zampa (up four places to seventh) also make ground inside the top 10.
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan remains out in front of the ODI rankings for all-rounders, with South Africa beanpole Marco Jansen the biggest mover with the in-form No.7 jumping 23 places on this list to share 11th place alongside Scotland's Michael Leask.
Babar Azam - 829 rating.
Shubman Gill - 823 rating.
The difference is just 6 points between No 1 & No 2 ODI batters in ICC ranking...!!!! pic.twitter.com/v5Of84OmCK
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 25, 2023
ICC ODI Player Ranking for batters
1. Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 829
2. Shubman Gill (India) – 823
3. Quinton de Kock (South Africa) – 769
4. Heinrich Klaasen (South Africa) – 756
5. David Warner (Australia) – 747
6. Virat Kohli (India) – 747
7. Harry Tector (Ireland) – 729
8. Rohit Sharma (India) – 725
9. Rassie van der Dussen (South Africa) – 716
10. Imam-ul-Haq (Pakistan) – 704
