Team India star reclaims No.1 in spot in ICC rankings ahead of IND vs SA 2025 ODI series

Team India star Rohit Sharma returned to the top of the ICC men's ODI batting rankings ahead of the upcoming series against South Africa. The right-handed batter dethroned New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell, who had recently become only the second Kiwi batter to top the ODI batting rankings.

Mitchell had replaced the former Indian captain as the No. 1-ranked ODI batter after his classy 119 against the West Indies in the first of the three-match series in Christchurch. However, a groin strain forced him to miss the remaining two games, and he lost valuable points.

Mitchell's rating points dropped to 766, while Rohit held on to 781 rating points. The veteran Indian batter will have the opportunity to further solidify his top spot in the forthcoming ODI series against South Africa, beginning on November 30, in Ranchi. He was the highest run-getter during the recent 50-over leg in Australia, mustering 202 runs in three matches, headlined by an unbeaten 121* in Sydney.

Rohit will also be looking to improve his ODI record against South Africa. In 26 matches, he has managed only 806 runs against them, averaging a modest 33.58, with three centuries.

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Team India will look for redemption in ODIs after humiliating Test series loss

South Africa celebrate their Test series win. (Credits: Proteas Men X)

Meanwhile, India will eye redemption against the Proteas after a humiliating 2-0 Test series defeat. South Africa registered a Test series win on Indian soil after 25 years as Temba Bavuma ushered them to comprehensive victories in Kolkata and Guwahati.

The Men in Blue will be boosted by the returns of batting titans Rohit and Virat Kohli and will look to outdo the Proteas. KL Rahul will captain the hosts due to Shubman Gill's neck injury. The two sides will also square off in three T20Is after the 50-over leg.

South Africa had toured India for an ODI and T20I series in 2022 and lost both by a 2-1 scoreline.