Indian cricket has got a new pulse of life with Virat Kohli. His powerhouse knock against South Africa was instrumental in his rise to the second position in the ICC Men’s ODI rankings. Virat is presently only eight points away from Rohit Sharma at the top of the list. The supporters are saying that Virat is back to his old self and the competition to be the number one Indian has become fiery now.
Kohli’s Charge Toward the Top
Kohli was back to his best in ODIs after a long time, throwing shots and making runs at a wild rate, ultimately scoring 302 runs in three games, and he was named Player of the Series. His hundreds in Ranchi and Guwahati not only helped India win but, also, fire up his personal challenge for the top spot once again the No. 1 position. Although Rohit was solid on the top with good scores, it was Kohli’s loud roar that grabbed the most attention.
Shubman Gill was still very steady at No. 5, and KL Rahul got to No. 12 after being the one who led the team in a controlled manner. India were also at the top of the bowling charts.
Kuldeep Yadav went up to the 3rd position with his repeated wickets. Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, and Jasprit Bumrah after a wonderful win in Cuttack have made a jump in T20I rankings. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant made India more potent in Tests and helped them to gain more power in the rankings.
Why Kohli’s Surge Matters
Kohli’s climb signals a major shift before a packed 2026 calendar. India is currently in control of crucial areas in different formats which is giving them a solid mental advantage. The comeback of the player to his best level is definitely a source of confidence in the dressing room. The Rohit–Kohli duel also builds a compelling narrative for global cricket. India’s bowlers rising together adds even more balance.
Author’s Opinion
Virat Kohli’s rhythm hums like an engine warming up at dawn, hinting at a 2026 where he storms through bowlers and India rolls in as a fully loaded, all-terrain beast ready to run the cricket world.
