The battle for the top spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings has become increasingly exciting. Shubman Gill continues to hold the No. 1 position, but Virat Kohli has moved up to second place and is now just 20 rating points behind his Indian teammate.
Gill currently has 816 rating points, while Kohli has climbed to 796 points after overtaking New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell. With two matches still remaining in India's ODI series against the West Indies, the gap between the two Indian stars could close further.
Kohli has a chance to reclaim No. 1
Virat Kohli could potentially return to the top of the ODI rankings if he continues his excellent form in the remaining matches. If Kohli scores a century and a half-century while Gill fails in at least one of the games, the former India captain could move back to No. 1.
This makes the remaining matches particularly interesting, as both Indian batters are competing not only to score runs for the team but also for the top position in the world rankings.
Both stars impressed in the first ODI
The opening match of the West Indies series produced outstanding performances from both batsmen. Shubman Gill scored a brilliant 110, while Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 139 from just 88 balls.
Kohli's explosive innings played a major role in India's convincing victory. Gill also continued his impressive run with another century, showing why he currently occupies the top position in the rankings.
Gill leads Kohli in 2026 runs
Both players have been among the leading performers in ODI cricket this year. Gill has scored 671 runs in nine innings in 2026, while Kohli has accumulated 523 runs in seven innings.
Although Gill has scored more runs overall, Kohli's average and recent performances have helped him make a significant jump in the rankings.
With two ODIs still left in the series, the contest between the two Indian stars is far from over. Gill will be looking to protect his No. 1 ranking, while Kohli will be determined to close the gap and reclaim the top spot.
The battle between India's 'Prince' and 'King' promises to make the remaining matches even more exciting.
