
Rohit Sharma Rises To No. 2 In ODI Rankings Despite Not Playing Since March. Here's Why
Rohit last played for India during the Champions Trophy 2025, where he captained the team to their second title. Rohit slammed 180 runs in five matches - the fourth-most for India - but boasted the highest strike-rate among India's top-order batters.
Babar made only 56 runs in the recently-concluded three-match ODI series against West Indies, as Pakistan lost the series 2-1. This has caused him to drop to third in the rankings.
India boast four batters in the top 10 and five in the top 15. Shreyas Iyer, India's highest run-scorer in the Champions Trophy 2025, is ranked eighth, while wicket-keeper batter KL Rahul is ranked 15th.
Following the India-England Test series, where Shubman Gill's men drew 2-2 away from home, several reports and rumours have emerged regarding the uncertainty of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's cricket future.
38 and 36 years old respectively, Rohit and Kohli are now active in only one format - ODI cricket. However, with India not playing many ODIs in the remainder of 2025, rumours have begun regarding the future of the two stalwarts.
Rohit announced after Champions Trophy 2025 that he does not intend to retire from ODI cricket, even sharing a moment with Kohli joking about it during the celebrations.
However, despite having eyes on the 2027 Cricket World Cup, Rohit and Kohli's spots are reportedly not a guarantee in the ODI setup. In fact, as per reports in recent days, the veteran duo will also have to turn up in domestic cricket as a metric for form and fitness.
On the other hand, whether Rohit will continue to be captain till the World Cup is also a topic of debate. With 25-year-old Shubman Gill impressing in England, Rohit isn't an automatic captaincy selection anymore.
However, the ODI rankings continue to reflect both Rohit and Kohli's continued prowess in the 50-over format.
Rohit and Kohli are next scheduled to be in action in October 2025, when India tour Australia for three ODIs.

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If any of them have the ambition to lead India, too, they can't be faulted for being upset seeing someone not in the team for a year appointed the deputy ahead of them. If Suryakumar can lead for the next two years and one of Axar, Samson, and Pandya can do three more after that, succession is a problem for 2030. Thinking about the future is important, but not at the cost of the present. There's perhaps no place where split captaincy faced as much antagonism as India. Here, arguably because of how all the best captains have been strong personalities, it's hard to fathom a sharing of responsibilities. But there's no actual proof that one-man captaincy is better than a split. MS Dhoni was successful in that role, but Virat Kohli didn't win any ICC trophies as a captain. Rohit Sharma won both the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, but under him, India got whitewashed in Tests at home for the first time, and he was not leading his IPL teams at the same time, unlike Kohli and, likely in the future, Gill. Even coaches like Rahul Dravid, who were overseeing all formats, and now Gautam Gambhir need breaks when they don't even go out in the field, just because of how packed cricket's calendar is for India. With an ICC tournament slated for every year, it will be bound to be exhausting for anyone with that much responsibility and affect their batting. What worked in Tests might not work in T20Is. If you give them a rest, will the vice-captain be one for all formats, or will that be fine as a split? There's no right answer. All the concerns about split captaincy are communication-based: what if the ODI and T20I captains want the same player, and they can only play one series? Selectors and coaches step in to decide what's best for the country. A humongous risk with burdening a stunningly talented 25-year-old with the nation's responsibility is not that he won't do his best to fulfill it, but that he will, and it won't be enough. About the Author Cricketnext Staff A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that's cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Get latest Cricket news, live score and match results on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Indian cricket team rohit sharma Sanju Samson Shubman Gill Suryakumar Yadav Virat Kohli view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 14, 2025, 17:32 IST News cricket Shubman Gill As India's Future T20 Captain? 3 Reasons Why It Can Backfire Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. 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