IND vs NZ 2026: Virat Kohli loses No. 1 ODI batting ranking to Daryl Mitchell

Daryl Mitchell has made his way to the top of the ICC ODI batter rankings, displacing ace Indian batter Virat Kohli to second place in the ICC’s latest update, as of Wednesday, January 21. Mitchell emerged as the highest run-getter across both teams in the recently-concluded three-match series.

Mitchell has ascended to the top position with 845 points to his name. Kohli’s points tally dropped down to 795. The two are well ahead of the rest of the cricketers, some of whom include Ibrahim Zadran, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Babar Azam.

For the unversed, this is the second time Mitchell has held the top spot in the ODI rankings. He had previously been at the summit for only three days in November. Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma had gone past Mitchell after a successful ODI series against Australia Down Under.

The 34-year-old middle-order batter emerged as the Player of the Series against India to script a record 1-2 series win for New Zealand against the hosts. He stands behind only AB de Villiers (five) in the list for the most ODI tons against India in India.

Notably, Mitchell has never been dismissed for a duck in the 54 ODI innings he has played so far. This is the second-longest streak in history behind that of Kepler Wessels, who went 105 innings without a score of zero against his name.

Kohli will next feature in international cricket in June for when India tour England. He has already announced his retirement from T20I cricket and Tests. On the other hand, Mitchell will be a key member to the Kiwis’ T20I outfit, as they square off against the hosts in a five-match series, scheduled to commence on January 1.

The T20I series will be played in Vidarbha, Raipur, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram. The two teams will treat the set of matches as preparation for the T20 World Cup, which is all set to be conducted across February and March.

Disclaimer: This latest news is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.