Shubman Gill and Maheesh Theekshana Top ICC ODI Rankings as Champions Trophy Kicks Off

In a thrilling development on the opening day of the Champions Trophy, Shubman Gill and Maheesh Theekshana have ascended to the No. 1 positions in the latest ICC ODI rankings. Gill has overtaken Babar Azam to become the top-ranked ODI batter, while Theekshana has surpassed Rashid Khan to claim the top spot among bowlers.

Gill’s Dominance in ODI Cricket

Gill’s rise comes on the back of an exceptional performance in India’s recent home ODI series against England, where he showcased his batting prowess. With scores of 87, 60, and 112, Gill amassed a remarkable 259 runs at an average of 86.33 and a strike rate of 103.60. His nearest competitor, Shreyas Iyer, finished significantly behind with 181 runs.

This marks the second occasion Gill has held the No. 1 ODI ranking, having first achieved it during the 2023 ODI World Cup. With 796 rating points, he has pushed Babar Azam into second place with 773 points. The top five also features Rohit Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen, and Daryl Mitchell, who moved up two spots after impressive performances in the Pakistan tri-series.

Notably, Sri Lanka’s captain Charith Asalanka has surged eight places to No. 8 following a strong showing in the two-match ODI series against England. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan has climbed to 15th place.

Theekshana Overtakes Rashid in Bowling Rankings

On the bowling front, Maheesh Theekshana has capitalized on his opportunities despite Sri Lanka’s absence from the Champions Trophy. In the ODI series against Australia, he delivered standout performances with figures of 4 for 40 and 0 for 11, earning him the top spot in the rankings.

Rashid Khan, who has not played an ODI since last December, has slipped to second place but remains close behind Theekshana with 669 points to Theekshana’s 680. A strong showing in the Champions Trophy could see Rashid reclaim the top position.

Additionally, New Zealand’s captain Mitchell Santner has made significant gains, climbing five places to No. 7, bolstered by his five wickets in three ODIs during the Pakistan tri-series.

As the Champions Trophy unfolds, the competition among these top players intensifies, setting the stage for an exciting tournament ahead.