Daryl Mitchell Overtakes Virat Kohli to Claim World No.1 ODI Batting Ranking After Historic New Zealand Series Win in India

In a moment that perfectly encapsulated his extraordinary journey, Daryl Mitchell stood beneath a skied drive from Virat Kohli at long on, New Zealand's historic series victory resting in his capable hands. The catch was secured, the series was won, and Mitchell's ascent to the pinnacle of world cricket was complete.

The 34-year-old New Zealander has officially claimed the No.1 spot in the ICC Men's ODI Batting Rankings with 845 rating points, dethroning Kohli who drops to second with 795 points. It's a fitting coronation for a player whose persistence and late-blooming international career has become one of cricket's most inspiring stories.

A Series for the Ages: Mitchell's Dominant Performance

Record-Breaking Run Accumulation

Mitchell's performance across the three-match series against India was nothing short of phenomenal. His series aggregate of 352 runs stands as the most ever by a New Zealander in a three-match ODI series and the third-highest of all time, trailing only Babar Azam's 360 against the West Indies in 2016 and Shubman Gill's 360 against New Zealand in 2023.

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The Hamilton product was consistently exceptional throughout the series:

• Game 1: 84 off 71 balls (top-scorer in a losing effort)
• Game 2: 131* off 117 balls (Player of the Match, series-leveling performance)
• Game 3: 137 off 131 balls (series-clinching century)

Ninth ODI Century in Historic Fashion

When Mitchell nudged a quick single to bring up his ninth ODI hundred in the series decider at Indore, he etched his name further into the record books. He became just the fourth-fastest male cricketer to reach nine ODI centuries, achieving the milestone in his 54th batting innings. Only Imam-ul-Haq (48 innings), Hashim Amla (52), and Quinton de Kock (53) reached the landmark faster.

Batting Excellence: Outshining a Kohli Century

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Mitchell's series-winning knock was that it overshadowed a Virat Kohli century on Indian soil—a rare occurrence in world cricket. While Kohli produced a characteristically brilliant 124 off 108 deliveries in the deciding match, Mitchell's 137 off 131 balls proved to be the superior innings on the day.

The New Zealander's two consecutive scores of 130-plus now puts him level with Martin Guptill for the most such scores in New Zealand's ODI history, with four apiece.

Remarkable Consistency: The Duck-Free Streak

Mitchell's reliability extends beyond big scores. In 54 ODI innings, he is yet to record a duck—the second-longest streak in ODI history. Only Kepler Wessels, who remarkably never registered a zero across his entire 105-innings ODI career between 1983 and 1994, boasts a longer duck-free run.

A Special Record Against India

Mitchell has developed a particular fondness for playing against India in their own backyard. With four ODI centuries in India against the hosts, only South African legend AB de Villiers (five) has more. It's a record that speaks to Mitchell's ability to perform under the most challenging conditions against world-class opposition.

Partnership Excellence: Phillips Joins the Party

Mitchell wasn't alone in his heroics during the series decider. Glenn Phillips joined the party with a brilliant 106 off 88 balls, with the pair combining for a 219-run partnership—the second-highest in New Zealand's ODI history.

Phillips' contribution has seen him climb 16 places to 20th in the ODI batting rankings, while also rising 14 spots to equal-31st among ODI all-rounders.

The Late Bloomer's Journey: From Perth to the Pinnacle

A Unique Path to International Cricket

What makes Mitchell's story truly remarkable is the unconventional path he took to reach the top of world cricket. He didn't burst onto the international scene as a prodigious young talent; instead, he made his debut at 28 years of age in February 2019 against India in Wellington.

• T20I debut: February 2019, aged 28
• Test debut: Later in 2019, aged 29
• ODI debut: 2021, aged 30

The Formative Years

The son of John Mitchell, the acclaimed rugby coach currently leading England's World Cup-winning Women's side, Daryl spent much of his 20s accumulating over 200 games worth of domestic cricket experience in New Zealand.

His journey also included formative years in Perth when his father coached Super Rugby franchise the Western Force. During this period, Mitchell played alongside future Australian internationals Andrew Tye, Marcus Harris, and Marcus Stoinis. In 2009—a full decade before his international debut—Mitchell shared first-grade premiership glory with Stoinis and legendary Australian batter Justin Langer at Perth's Scarborough Cricket Club.

Other Notable Rankings Movements

ODI Batting Rankings

• Ibrahim Zadran rises to third (764 points), swapping positions with Rohit Sharma (fourth, 757 points)
• Glenn Phillips climbs 16 places to 20th following his century against India

ODI Bowling Rankings

• Rashid Khan remains the clear leader with 710 points
• Jofra Archer holds second place with 670 points
• Michael Bracewell jumps six spots to 33rd after strong performances in the India series

ODI All-Rounders Rankings

• Azmatullah Omarzai remains at the top
• Glenn Phillips rises 14 spots to equal-31st

T20I Rankings Movement

• Rashid Khan moves up two spots to second among T20I bowlers following his two-wicket haul against West Indies in Dubai
• Mujeeb Ur Rahman rises two spots to equal-14th among T20I bowlers
• Ibrahim Zadran climbs five places to 15th among T20I batters

Looking Ahead: Mitchell's Legacy Continues to Grow

Daryl Mitchell's journey from late-blooming domestic cricketer to the world's top-ranked ODI batter is a testament to the value of persistence, patience, and unwavering self-belief. At 34, he has proven that there is no single path to cricketing greatness.

As New Zealand looks ahead to future tournaments and series, they do so with the world's best ODI batter in their ranks—a player who has left an indelible mark on the game and shows no signs of slowing down. Mitchell's second spell at No.1 promises to be longer than his brief three-day reign last November, and the cricketing world will be watching to see just how high this remarkable late bloomer can continue to climb.