Daryl Mitchell is a prominent New Zealand cricketer known for his versatility and significant contributions to the sport. Mitchell has become the No.1-ranked men’s ODI batter in the world, overtaking Rohit Sharma in the latest ICC rankings update. He is only the second New Zealand player ever to hold the top position, following Glenn Turner, who first achieved the feat in 1979.
Key Details
- Mitchell claimed the No. 1 spot after scoring a match-winning century (119 off 118 balls) in the series opener against the West Indies, which lifted his ODI average to 53.13 and propelled him past Rohit Sharma by just one rating point.
- Rohit Sharma’s reign at the top lasted only 22 days and he now sits in second place, with Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran ranked third.
- Other New Zealanders such as Martin Crowe, Nathan Astle, Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill, and Ross Taylor have previously ranked in the top five, but only Glenn Turner (1979) and now Daryl Mitchell have ever been ranked No. 1 in ODIs.
- Mitchell’s recent ODI form is outstanding, averaging 78.00 across his last nine innings.
Historic Perspective
- Glenn Turner was the last New Zealander to top the ICC ODI batting rankings 46 years ago.
- Mitchell’s achievement ends an era where Indian batters (Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli) have frequently dominated the top rankings, and marks a rare Kiwi presence at the summit.
Current ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings (Top Five)
| Rank | Player | Country |
| 1 | Daryl Mitchell | New Zealand |
| 2 | Rohit Sharma | India |
| 3 | Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan |
| 4 | Shubman Gill | India |
| 5 | Virat Kohli | India |
Daryl Mitchell’s rise to No. 1 underscores his consistency and quality as a leading batter in world cricket.
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