Virat Kohli Ranking Row: ICC Forced to Correct ‘Wrong’ No.1 Record

The Indian Batting Legend was at The Top of the Table for 1,547 days, Which is a Modern-day Record

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rectified Virat Kohli’s stay at the No.1 position in the Men’s ODI batting rankings. The earlier official figure created confusion over his place in the all-time list.

ICC’s Mistake on Kohli’s Stats

Virat Kohli returned to the top spot in the latest ODI rankings following his match-winning knock of 93 in 91 deliveries against New Zealand in Vadodara. He conquered the position for the first time since July 2021.

In the initial ICC communication, Kohli was credited with 825 days at No.1. The statistics were reflected in the accompanying “most days at the top” chart shared alongside the rankings story. This was a huge blunder, pointed out by Virat Kohli’s fans on social media.

The Indian batting legend was at the top of the table from 22 October 2017 to 1 April 2021. It is 1,547 days, which is a modern-day record.

The ICC has since amended that statistic and now states the real figure.

Who Stayed the Longest as the No. 1 Batter?

West Indies great Viv Richards has stayed the highest number of days in the first position with 2,306 days. He is followed by another West Indies legend Brian Lara. the left hander had spent 2,079 days as the No.1 ODI batter.

The correction significantly reshapes Virat Kohli’s historical standing. The updated count places Kohli third on the all-time list. 

With the 825-day figure, he was shown outside the top tier despite his repeated returns to No.1 across different eras of ODI cricket. With the revised tally of 1,547, Kohli moves ahead of several modern greats and sits behind only Richards and Lara on the longevity chart — a more accurate reflection of multiple spells at the top rather than one isolated stint.

Reasons Behind ICC’s Blunder

ICC has not publicly explained why the earlier figure was published. These discrepancies arise when different counting methods are used across graphics and editorial copy. It may be a result of an older data carried into a new visual package. The corrected figure indicates the ICC is now applying a cumulative total across Kohli’s various stints at No.1.

The update also highlights how a small numerical error can quickly alter the narrative in the rankings era, where “days at No.1” has become a shorthand measure for sustained dominance. 

With the correction now issued, the focus will be on ensuring all ICC-facing tables and graphics reflect the same updated total going forward.

Kohli’s Dominnace in ODI Cricket

Kohli first reached No.1 in October 2013 and has reclaimed the spot 10 times since, reinforcing his long-term status as one of ODI cricket’s defining batters. 

Virat Kohli’s dominance at the top of the ICC men’s ODI batting rankings can be measured in terms of longevity and difference between his points from the next-best batter.

The elite batters tend to live within touching distance of each other, and small runs of form can swap positions. That’s why a large points gap at No. 1 is so revealing: it signals not just who is best, but how far the second-best is from catching up without sustained outperformance across multiple updates.

Virat Kohli is currently the second highest run scorer in the International cricket, behind Sachin Tendulkar. He has scored 84 international centuries across Tests (30), ODIs (53), and T20Is (1) at the time of this report. Cricket enthusiasts are eagerly waiting if he can touch the magical figure of 100 centuries in International cricket.