Kohli becomes No. 1 ranked ODI batsman for first time

Islamabad – India’s Virat Kohli’s outstanding form in one-day internationals has lifted him to the top of the ICC Batting Rankings in ODIs, while Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal has reclaimed his crown in the bowling charts.

According to The Daily Times, the other major change in the batting top ten was the rise of Australia captain George Bailey to No. 3, up six places after a series in which he made 478 runs at an average of 95.60 in six innings.

Kohli has reached No.1 in the ODI rankings for the first time while Ajmal jumped up two places to displace Ravindra Jadeja and Sunil Narine.

The other big gainer in the bowling top ten is South Africa’s Morne Morkel, who also climbed six spots to reach No. 7, the report said.

India’s openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, both of whom were in form against Australia, have also risen sharply in the rankings, the report added.

Kohli takes over as No. 1 from Hashim Amla, who has held the top spot since November 2010, the report further said.

Ajmal took six wickets in the first two ODIs to move past Jadeja and Narine, according to the report.