Virat Kohli recently returned to the top of the ICC ODI batting rankings, but a graphic shared by the International Cricket Council (ICC) has sparked confusion and debate among fans and analysts.
The graphic claimed that Kohli had spent just 825 days as the World No. 1 ODI batter, a figure that is significantly lower than the actual number.
A closer look at ICC’s own historical data shows that the number is incorrect.
The ICC Graphic That Raised Questions. The ICC shared a post highlighting batters who have spent the most days at the No. 1 position in ODI rankings. In that list, Virat Kohli was shown with 825 days, placing him as low as 10th on the all-time list.
Almost immediately, fans and statisticians questioned the figure, pointing out that Kohli’s multiple stints at the top had not been fully accounted for. The Real Number: 1,538 Days at No. 1.
After recalculating Kohli’s reigns using official ICC ranking dates, it becomes clear that Kohli has spent 1,538 days as the World No. 1 ODI batter, not 825.
The most significant phase of his dominance came between October 22, 2017, and April 6, 2021, when Kohli remained undisputed at No. 1 for 1,263 consecutive days, nearly 41 months at the top. This stretch alone exceeds the total shown in ICC’s graphic.
In addition to this long reign, Kohli also held the No. 1 ranking during multiple earlier phases in 2013, 2014, and 2017, all of which appear to have been omitted or partially counted in the ICC’s post.
Rankings are not just numbers, they shape historical narratives. Undercounting Kohli’s time at the top significantly affects where he stands among the greatest ODI batters of all time. With the correct figure of 1,538 days, Kohli should rank third on the all-time list, not tenth. Only a select few players in cricket history have spent more time at No. 1, making this correction crucial for accurately representing Kohli’s legacy.
There is no indication of intent behind the discrepancy, but the mistake highlights the importance of accuracy when presenting historical data. The irony is that the screenshots and dates used to verify Kohli’s reigns are available on ICC’s own website. As Virat Kohli once again climbs back to the top of the rankings, the data makes one thing clear: his dominance as the World No. 1 ODI batter lasted far longer than the ICC graphic suggested, and the record deserves to be set straight.
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