Shubman Gill closes in on Daryl Mitchell for No. 1 ODI batting ranking

Shubman Gill (Source: BCCI)

Shubman Gill has held No. 2 spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings with 803 rating points, sitting just 11 points behind New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, who leads the standings with 814 points. Gill’s rise comes after he captained India to his first ODI series victory, a commanding sweep over Afghanistan. The gap between the Indian skipper and the world’s top-ranked one-day batter is now tighter than ever, setting the stage for a fascinating race for the summit.

Gill’s captaincy win saw India claim a 3-0 clean sweep, with the young batter finishing as the highest run-scorer with 238 runs across the series. Former India captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma occupy third and fourth place respectively, with Kohli holding 757 points and Sharma on 744 points. KL Rahul has slipped to 12th in the rankings with 640 points.

Can Shubman Gill overtake Daryl Mitchell during the England ODI series?

India have already played their first ODI against England on July 14, 2026, in Birmingham, with the side winning by six wickets. The second match is scheduled for July 16 in Cardiff, followed by the third ODI at Lord’s on July 19.

Mitchell will feature in New Zealand’s five-match ODI tour of the West Indies, which runs from July 11 to July 21, 2026. Rating point fluctuations in bilateral ODI contests can be swift and unpredictable, with a single match-winning knock or a standout bowling spell potentially shifting the narrative. Even modest individual displays across multiple matches can add up to meaningful ranking swings. These overlapping series provide both Gill and Mitchell with live opportunities to sway the ranking points in their favour.

What does this ranking milestone mean for India’s World Cup preparation?

Gill’s position as the second-ranked ODI batter underscores his growing consistency and maturity at the top of India’s batting order. With less than 15 rating points now separating him from the top, the door for a historic achievement stands open for the young captain. His recent performance against Afghanistan, coupled with strong showings in the England series, could be the catalyst he needs to reach the summit during this busy international window.

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