Azmatullah Omarzai Tops ICC ODI All-Rounder Rankings, Virat Kohli Moves to Fourth Among Batters

March 5, 2025: In the latest ICC ODI Rankings, two significant movements have captured the attention of cricket fans worldwide. Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai has ascended to the number one spot among all-rounders, following his stellar performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Meanwhile, India’s Virat Kohli has climbed to the fourth spot among batters, reinforcing his position as one of the game’s finest.

Azmatullah Omarzai’s rise to the top spot has been nothing short of remarkable. The 25-year-old all-rounder had an outstanding Champions Trophy campaign, where he made a major impact both with the bat and the ball. Omarzai played a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s progress, scoring 126 runs in three innings at an average of 42.00. His highlights included an aggressive 41 and a five-wicket haul of 5/58 against England and a crucial 67 against Australia. His all-around contribution helped Afghanistan’s success in the tournament and propelled him to the top of the ICC ODI all-rounder rankings.

In addition to his batting heroics, Omarzai also impressed with the ball, taking seven wickets in three matches at an average of 20.00. He dethroned teammate Mohammad Nabi, who now sits second on the list, to secure the number one spot. This career-high ranking, with a total of 296 rating points, signifies his meteoric rise in international cricket.

India’s Axar Patel also made a notable leap, moving up 17 spots to 13th in the all-rounder rankings, reaching a career-high rating of 194 points. Omarzai’s rise wasn’t limited to the all-rounder category, as he also climbed 12 places in the ODI batter rankings, securing the 24th position with 598 rating points, thanks to his contributions during the Champions Trophy.

Other stars also made significant moves in the rankings, with Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran, who scored an impressive 177 runs against England, climbing 13 spots to 10th in the batter rankings. Australia’s Steve Smith gained six spots to reach 16th, while New Zealand’s Kane Williamson moved up eight spots to 29th after a gutsy 81 against India.

As for Virat Kohli, he remains one of the top names in world cricket. Following his brilliant Player of the Match performance in the Champions Trophy semifinal against Australia, where he scored 84 runs to guide India to victory, Kohli moved up to the fourth spot in the ODI batters rankings. With 217 runs in four innings at an average of 72.33, including a century and a half-century, Kohli has once again proven why he’s regarded as one of the greatest in the modern era.

The ICC Champions Trophy has been a platform for many players to shine, and New Zealand’s Matt Henry, who had an exceptional tournament, moved up three spots to reach third place in the bowling rankings. Henry now sits behind Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana and South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj. India’s Mohammed Shami also made strides, moving up three spots to 11th after his consistent performances in the tournament.

As the ICC ODI Rankings continue to evolve, these players’ performances at the Champions Trophy 2025 have undoubtedly set the stage for more thrilling cricket in the coming months.