Right-hander Rohit Sharma of India has made history by becoming the top-ranked ODI hitter in the world for the first time in his storied career. At 38 years and 182 days, the former captain of India became the oldest cricketer to reach the top of the most recent ICC Men's ODI Batter Rankings on Wednesday, October 29.
Following his undefeated century in the third and final ODI against Australia in Sydney, where he led India to a commanding nine-wicket victory, Rohit moved up two spots to unseat current India captain Shubman Gill. Alongside Virat Kohli (74*), the Mumbai-born opener was in outstanding form, hitting 13 fours and three massive sixes on his route to his 33rd ODI century.

Following an incredible run of form in the just finished ODI series against Australia, in which he scored 202 runs in three matches at an incredible average of 101, Rohit has returned to the top of the rankings. In addition to securing India's series triumph, his undefeated century in the series finale at the Sydney Cricket Ground solidified his place among the most dependable and potent openers in international cricket. The veteran's Player of the Series award was well-earned.

After scoring 73 (97) in Adelaide and an undefeated 121 (125) in Sydney, Rohit, who had 745 points the previous week, increased his lead significantly. His career-high 781 points came from such powerful knocks.

After leading India to the 2023 ODI World Cup final, Rohit now joins a select group of Indian cricketers who have held the top ODI batting rating, including Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Sachin Tendulkar.

With scores of 10, 9, and 24, Gill, who had held the top spot since the end of the previous year, had a rough stretch versus Australia. Iyer solidified his position in the world's top 10 with to his consistency, while Kohli lost one spot despite his fluid knock in the final match.
After finishing in the top 10 for the majority of the previous ten years, Rohit's incredible run saw him overtake Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran and teammate Gill to take the top spot for the first time.

In the most recent rankings, the former captain wasn't the only Indian to advance. After his impressive performance in Sydney, Axar Patel improved in both the bowling and all-rounder categories, moving up four ranks to ninth among all-rounders and six spots to 31st among ODI bowlers.
Notable changes occurred in the ranks elsewhere. Australia's Josh Hazlewood moved up two spots to eighth place among ODI bowlers, while Mitchell Santner, a spinner from New Zealand, climbed three spots to fourth. England hitter Harry Brook also made an impressive jump, jumping 23 places to 25th in the ODI batting statistics.
Keshav Maharaj of South Africa was the greatest mover in the Test rankings after winning Player of the Match in the team's eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in Rawalpindi.

Additionally, Pakistan skipper Shan Masood rose five spots to tie for 42nd among batsmen, while Kagiso Rabada moved up eight spots to 11th among Test all-rounders.
The T20I rankings saw more movement, with South Africa pacer Corbin Bosch rising 40 spots to 53rd among bowlers. Saim Ayub, the opener, climbed five ranks to 49th in the batting rankings, while Mohammad Nawaz of Pakistan moved up eight spaces to sixth among all-rounders.
Now that he is back in ODIs, Rohit has 781 rating points, ahead of Gill (745) and Zadran (764). Virat Kohli, who finished sixth with 725 points following a rare failure in the second ODI, helped lead to a game-winning 74* in Sydney. Thanks to his previous fifty in Adelaide, Shreyas Iyer moved up one spot to ninth position even though he did not bat in the last game.