The International Cricket Council (ICC) revealed their new rankings update today, and for the cricket public, it was like reversion to regularcy. Virat Kohli (#VK18) is back on top of ODI batting charts after a great home series and Champions Trophy qualifiers showmanship.
The Numbers Underpinning the Success
Kohli’s return to the summit isn’t necessarily a matter of a single performance, but rather a vintage, “Kohli-esque” run. The Indian captain has continued to hold a ridiculous average of over 75.00 in ODIs, across three centuries and five half-centuries, over the past 6 months. He had moved up the rankings and overtook the likes of Shubman Gill and Babar Azam.
At 37 years old, Kohli is still breaking the biological clock and showing that it’s not time for the running days and the legendary fitness levels to retire, he remains the reference point for athletes around the world.
Why “The King” Still Matters
‘Daddy’s Home’ has crossed social media trends on X and Instagram soon after the announcement. For enthusiasts, it’s more than just a ranking; It’s a rebuttal to people who said that his prime was finally out.
𝗗𝗮𝗱𝗱𝘆’𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 👑🔥
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) January 14, 2026
The King returns to his rightful place. 🇮🇳’s favourite, #VK18, reclaims the No.1️⃣ spot in the ICC ODI rankings. Again. 🐐
We won’t be surprised if he sticks around for a while. 😉❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/djhZ0VA45x
The Chase Master
Kohli’s signature skill in anchoring a chase is still his greatest weapon. In the recent series against Australia, his 112*, a win over Australia, has served as a perfect reminder that it is through such a score of 112* that he remains the greatest ODI player the world knows.
Consistency over Longevity
While younger players can occasionally flash for a flash, Kohli’s ability to “grasp ” the lead for more than a decade is rare in the history of the game.
The Future: Can He Remain at the Top?
And with the 2027 Cricket World Cup looming, Kohli’s rise to the No. 1 position carries an unmistakable message, sending a message to his rivals. He’s not just playing to compete; he’s playing to dominate. Coupled with his own current pace of play, cricket analysts say Kohli will probably maintain this role for a significant length of time; this is part of an ODI-bound calendar. As the King returns to his rightful place, the message to world cricket should never be understated: The era of Virat Kohli is far from over.
