For cricket fans in India, this isn’t just a stats update; it’s an emotion. After what felt like an endless wait, Virat Kohli has climbed back to the very top of the mountain. He is once again the Number 1 ODI batsman in the world, and honestly, it feels like the cricketing universe has finally balanced itself out again.
The most staggering part of this comeback isn’t just that he did it it is how long it took. The wait lasted exactly 1,404 days.
The Long Road Back
If you look back, the last few years haven’t been the easiest for the former captain. There was a time between 2017 and 2021 when seeing Kohli at the top of the rankings was boringly normal. He stayed there for 1,258 consecutive days without anyone shaking his position. But then came the dry patch. The centuries stopped coming, the critics started getting louder, and he slipped down the rankings.
For nearly four years, fans waited. When would the “Chase Master” return to his peak? Well, after a phenomenal run in recent tournaments where he looked invincible, he finally overtook his teammates and rivals to wear the crown again.
Not His First Rodeo
This isn’t a fluke. This is a habit. What’s interesting is that this marks the specific number of times Kohli has snatched back the Number 1 spot throughout his career. He isn’t new to this position; he lived there for years. This achievement puts him back in the conversation—not just as a current great, but as arguably the greatest ODI player to ever pick up a bat.
Surpassing legends like Sachin Tendulkar in various metrics has become routine for him, but regaining the top ranking at this stage of his career speaks volumes about his fitness and hunger. While younger players like Shubman Gill are snapping at his heels (and even holding the spot for a bit), the veteran showed that experience still counts for everything.
Why This Ranking Matters
Stats are just numbers, but in sport, they tell a story of resilience. Climbing to the top when you are 24 is one thing. Doing it again in your mid-30s, after everyone said your best days were behind you, is something else entirely.
For the fans who stuck by him during the lean patch, this Virat Kohli ODI ranking update is the ultimate “I told you so” moment. The King is back, and looking at the way he is playing, he doesn’t seem to be in a mood to step down anytime soon.
Read More: Virat Kohli vs The World, How He Silenced Critics After Four Long Years
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