Rohit Sharma, 38, Makes History as Oldest No.1 ODI Batter; Dethrones Shubman Gill

Rohit Sharma, 38, Makes History as Oldest No.1 ODI Batter; Dethrones Shubman Gill

Talk about rewriting the script. In a stunning announcement on October 29, 2025, 38-year-old Rohit Sharma has done the unthinkable, climbing to the pinnacle of the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings. Yeah, you read that right. For the very first time in his long and decorated career, the Hitman is officially the world’s No. 1 ODI batter.

Key Takeaways

  • Rohit Sharma is the oldest player ever (38 years, 182 days) to become the No. 1 ranked ODI batter for the first time.
  • He dethroned fellow Indian Shubman Gill, who has now dropped to the third position.
  • His performance in the Australia series was unreal: 202 runs at an average of 101.
  • Rohit was named the Player of the Series for his dominant batting display.

The Aussie Masterclass That Changed Everything

So, how did this happen? It all came down to his breathtaking performance in the recent ODI series against Australia. Rohit was simply on another level. He hammered 202 runs across the series at an unbelievable average of 101, leaving everyone speechless.

You can’t talk about this series without mentioning his two crucial innings. First, a gritty 73 runs in the second ODI at Adelaide on October 23. But the real masterpiece? His unbeaten 121 from 125 balls in the third ODI in Sydney on October 25. That match-winning knock not only sealed the series but also catapulted his rating points from 745 to a commanding 781.

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And as if that wasn’t enough, during the series, he also sped past Sourav Ganguly to become India’s third-highest run-scorer in ODIs. What a series.

Joining Indian Royalty

Look, reaching the top spot is rare. By hitting No. 1, Rohit Sharma now joins a very, very exclusive club of Indian cricketers. He’s walking in the footsteps of legends. We’re talking about players who have defined eras of cricket.

The list is iconic:

  • Sachin Tendulkar
  • MS Dhoni
  • Virat Kohli
  • Shubman Gill

And now, Rohit Sharma’s name is right there with them. It’s a massive moment, especially considering it happened so deep into his career, at a time when many were questioning his future in the format.

What This Means for Indian Cricket

Expert Analysis

This achievement is huge, especially given the context. Just before the series, there was a lot of noise about Shubman Gill potentially replacing him as the ODI captain. For Rohit to not only perform but to completely dominate and take the No. 1 spot from Gill himself is a powerful statement. It proves that even at 38, he’s still setting the standard for batting in world cricket.

Social Media Storm

As you can imagine, the internet absolutely exploded. Fans were celebrating the historic feat, with many calling it one of the greatest comebacks. The fact that he became the oldest player to achieve this for the first time just added to the narrative. It wasn’t just about reaching number one; it was about defying expectations and proving everyone wrong.

But honestly, what’s next for the Hitman? He’s broken records, silenced critics, and now sits at the top of the world. At 38, he’s playing some of the best cricket of his life. Can he hold onto this top spot? Let us know what you think!