A Glitch in the Matrix? Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Absent from Latest ICC ODI Rankings
In a truly unprecedented and baffling turn of events, the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI batting rankings, updated on Wednesday, have omitted two of the format's greatest modern-day players: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Just a week ago, both stalwarts were comfortably in the top 5, with Rohit at No. 2 and Kohli at No. 4. Their sudden and complete disappearance from the rankings has sent shockwaves across the cricketing world, with fans and pundits alike speculating that it is a technical glitch.
The Mystery: What Happened?
The ICC's official website and other sports news outlets released the latest rankings, and the list of top ODI batsmen was missing its two most prominent figures. This is particularly surprising given their strong recent form in the ODI format, particularly during India's successful Champions Trophy campaign in February 2025. Rohit Sharma's match-winning knock in the final and Kohli's sublime form in the group stages were key to India's victory.
Their absence has led to a major reshuffle in the rankings. Shubman Gill, who continues to hold the top spot, now has Babar Azam of Pakistan at No. 2, who has moved up from his previous No. 3 position. Indian players Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are still present in the top 15, but the absence of Kohli and Rohit is the central talking point.
The Possible Explanations: Glitch or a New Rule?
The most logical explanation for this bizarre development is a technical error on the ICC's part. It is highly unlikely that both players would be removed from the rankings simultaneously, especially when they are not retired from the format. The ICC's official rules for rankings state that a player is removed from the top 100 if they have not played an ODI within a qualifying period of 9 to 12 months. Given that both Kohli and Rohit last played an ODI in February 2025 during the Champions Trophy, they are well within that window.
The fact that the ICC has not yet released a formal statement on the matter has only added to the confusion. This has fueled widespread speculation on social media, with fans using hashtags like #RohitSharma and #ViratKohli to express their dismay and demand an explanation. The general consensus among fans is that this is a system bug, and the rankings will be corrected in the next update.
The Impact on the Rankings
The sudden removal of Kohli and Rohit has had a domino effect on the rankings, affecting the positions of other players. Babar Azam has benefited the most, reclaiming his No. 2 spot. The absence of the two Indian legends also opens up the top 10 for other players to make their mark. The latest rankings now feature a more diverse list, with players like Daryl Mitchell, Charith Asalanka, and Harry Tector holding prominent positions.
While this may be a temporary situation, it does raise questions about the robustness of the ICC's ranking system. Such a significant error erodes public trust and undermines the credibility of the rankings, which are considered the gold standard for measuring a player's performance.
Awaiting a Response
For now, the cricketing world waits with bated breath for an official statement from the ICC. Fans are hoping that this is a simple mistake that will be rectified quickly. The removal of two of the game's biggest stars from the rankings, regardless of the reason, is a major blow to the credibility of the system. It is a reminder that even in the digital age, a simple technical glitch can have a huge impact, especially when it involves two of the most loved and followed cricketers in the world.
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