Pakistani skipper Babar Azam remains at the top of ICC ODI Rankings as the No 1 batter. Indian opener Shubman Gill had the chance to go top but as he has been rested from the third and final IND vs AUS ODI, he misses out. Babar Azam is on top with 857 rating points while Shubman is 2nd with 847 points. Shubman scored 74 and 104 in the first two ODIs against Australia. If he had scored 22 more runs, he would have surpassed Babar.
Before the three ODIs, the right-hand batter had a golden chance to go past Babar Azam in the ICC ODI Rankings for the batters. With two fifty-plus scores, Gill is definitely in the zone to get another big score against Australia. However, the youngster has been rested for the third ODI. Now, the race is on again as Babar Azam will get another opportunity in the World Cup.
Latest ICC ODI Rankings
Impressive Shubman Gill
Following the most recent ICC rankings update last Wednesday, the Indian opener currently holds the second spot in the ICC rankings for ODI batsmen with 814 points, trailing Babar Azam, the current leader, by a mere 43 rating points (857 rating points). Since then, Gill has scored a fluent 74 runs off 63 balls in the first ODI against Australia on Friday and played a brilliant 104-run knock from 97 balls in the second ODI on Sunday.
Gill, who struggled to do well on the West Indies tour, was back in form during the Asia Cup 2023, where he finished as the leading run-getter. And he maintained his ace form against the Aussies as well to live up to the tag of being the next big thing in international cricket. Gill also had the chance to get the tag of being the number 1 batter in the ODI format. However, it looks like that he has to wait till the World Cup to claim the spot.
To note, Babar Azam was last seen during the Asia Cup Super 4s clash against Sri Lanka. Babar did not had much of a say in the competition. The Pakistani skipper will be next seen in action in the upcoming World Cup. The Men in Green will be facing the Netherlands in their opening match of the marquee event. Babar will play a crucial role in Pakistan’s chance of winning the title and hope to remain at the top spot in ICC ODI rankings.
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