Despite not playing an ODI match for over five months, India's 50-over format skipper Rohit Sharma has moved to the second spot in the latest ICC ODI Rankings for batters. At the age of 38, the stylish batter is redefining the age-old adage - Age is just a number. The skipper had a terrific Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, which he capped off with a match-winning 50 in the final game against New Zealand. For over two years, Rohit has completely changed the way he plays in the power play, as he attacks from word go, rather than playing the anchor role.
This fearless approach has enabled India fiery starts in the power play in the ODI & T20 format - although he has retired from the shortest format after the 2024 T20 World Cup. It is only the 50-over format in that he is still active. Apart from Rohit, Mumbai Indians (MI) batter Tilak Varma has also moved to the second spot in the ICC Rankings for Batters in T20I Cricket. The southpaw, who smashed two back-to-back hundreds against South Africa in 2024, continued the same form earlier this year against England in T20Is.
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The youngster is now just behind the number one-ranked T20I batter Abhishek Sharma, who attained the pole position last week. India's next T20I assignment is the Asia Cup 2025 event, which starts on September 09 to 28, that will be played in the UAE. Both youngsters are likely to be picked for the event, & have a chance to solidify their respective top positions.
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Rohit Sharma creates history at age 38 amid ODI retirement calls
Speaking about Rohit Sharma, he is one of the few batters to have gained the number two position at the age of 38 in the ICC Rankings. While normally one does not drop the number two batter from the team, however, there are swirling rumors that the ODI captain may be phased out after India's next ODI series against Australia in October. While the board has not confirmed the speculation, things are looking extremely bleak for the veteran to continue playing the ODI format till the 2027 World Cup.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel wants to groom young players for the showpiece event and wants to give the youngsters sufficient time to get acclimatized before the WC. While the MI batter is steadfast in his desire to play the global event, the selection panel thinks otherwise. Whatever the fate holds for Rohit, this is his moment of glory, and his fans are sure to celebrate it for days to come.
