Daryl Mitchell has officially reached the pinnacle of international cricket, seizing the top spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings. In a stunning display of power and consistency, Mitchell’s heroics during New Zealand’s recent tour of India saw him leapfrog Indian icon Virat Kohli to become the world’s best-rated one-day batter.
Mitchell’s rise wasn’t just about the numbers; it was about the impact. His back-to-back centuries—an unbeaten 131 followed by a dominant 137*, both coming at a strike rate north of 100—anchored New Zealand to a historic series victory on Indian soil. This marks the second time the Kiwi middle-order maestro has held the No. 1 position, following a brief three-day stint at the top last November.
Breaking Records: Mitchell Joins the Elite Fastest Century Club
The final match of the series wasn’t just a win for the Black Caps; it was a career-defining moment for Mitchell. By reaching his ninth ODI century in just his 54th innings, he cemented his place as the fourth-fastest player in history to reach that milestone. He now sits in the company of greats like Imam-ul-Haq, Hashim Amla, and Quinton de Kock.
Mitchell’s total of 352 runs in the three-match series also set a new benchmark for New Zealand. It is the highest ever by a Kiwi in a three-match “rubber” and the third-highest globally, falling just short of the all-time record of 360 held by Babar Azam and Shubman Gill.
The Rankings Shift: How Kohli Lost the Top Spot
While Mitchell’s stock soared, Virat Kohli’s brief return to the summit came to an abrupt end. Just last week, Kohli held a razor-thin lead with 785 points to Mitchell’s 784. However, the volatility of the rankings—and a few lower scores in the middle of the series—saw Kohli slide back. While Kohli still performed well with a massive 124 in the final match, Mitchell’s sheer volume of runs pushed the gap to a significant margin: 845 points for Mitchell versus 795 for Kohli.
The rest of the leaderboard is currently dominated by Asian talent, with Ibrahim Zadran (764), Rohit Sharma (757), and Shubman Gill (723) rounding out the top five. Further down the list, New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips made the biggest jump of the week. After a blistering 106-run knock and a massive 219-run partnership with Mitchell, Phillips skyrocketed from No. 36 to No. 20, signaling a bright future for the Black Caps’ middle order.
