Kohli, Bumrah hit new ODI highs

Virat Kohli has affirmed his status as the world's best ODI batsman, equalling Sachin Tendulkar's record as the highest-rated Indian batsman to have played the one-day game.

Kohli has extended his lead on top of the ICC's official ODI batting rankings after he scored 330 runs in India's 5-0 sweep in Sri Lanka, including back-to-back centuries to finish the series.

The right-hander now has a 26-rating point lead over Australian David Warner in second place and his ratings total of 887 is the equal-highest by an Indian and the equal-14th highest ever. Tendulkar reached his career high of 887 points back in 1998, while West Indian great Sir Vivian Richards holds the all-time mark of 935 points set in 1985.

Kohli's century in Colombo on Sunday night was the 30th of his ODI career, drawing him level with former Australia captain Ricky Ponting to sit equal-second behind Tendulkar's all-time record of 49.

But despite being just 28 years old, the skipper conceded he faced a tough task to chase down Tendulkar's mark.

"The great man is quite a bit away," he said. "That's going to take a hell of an effort.

"Again, I am not thinking about that. It's only about the team where even if I score a 90 not out and the team goes across the line, it's good enough for me.

"It's an honour for me to equal someone like Ricky Ponting. That's not something that you aim for but obviously he's a great player and as batsmen we all respect what these legends have done."

Indian quick Jasprit Bumrah was the biggest winner in the latest player rankings, moving up 27 spots to a career-high of fourth in the bowling rankings after taking 15 wickets against Sri Lanka. Australia’s Josh Hazlewood held onto top spot among the bowlers, followed by South African Imran Tahir and another Aussie, Mitchell Starc.

Indian spinner Axar Patel has also moved into the top 10 after a strong showing in Sri Lanka, jumping 10 spots to 10th.

On the batting front, Rohit Sharma (ninth) and MS Dhoni (equal 10th) both moved back into the top 10, gaining five and two spots respectively.

Kohli, Warner, AB de Villiers, Joe Root and Babar Azam are the top-five ranked batsmen.

India also gained three points on the team rankings, drawing level on points with Australia but they remain in third spot overall behind the Aussies and the top-ranked South African side.

Sri Lanka dropped two points to 86, eight clear on the ninth-placed West Indies, who will take on England in a five-match series later this month.

Two or more losses for the Windies in the coming weeks will mean they can't overtake the Sri Lankans before the end of the month and ensure the Asian nation will qualify directly for the 2019 World Cup.

The top-seven ranked sides on September 30 besides hosts England will earn automatic qualification, while those outside the top eight will enter a qualifying tournament next year. 

ICC ODI Batting Rankings

1. Virat Kohli, 887 (points)

2. David Warner, 861

3. AB de Villiers, 847

4. Joe Root, 799

5. Babar Azam, 786

6. Kane Williamson, 779

7. Quinton de Kock, 769

8. Faf du Plessis, 768

9. Rohit Sharma, 764

=10. MS Dhoni, 749

=10. Martin Guptill, 749

ICC ODI Bowling Rankings

1. Josh Hazlewood, 732 (points)

2. Imran Tahir, 718

3. Mitchell Starc, 701,

4. Jasprit Bumrah, 687

5. Kagiso Rabad, 685

6. Trent Boult, 665,

7. Hasan Ali, 663

8. Sunil Narine, 662

9. Rashid Khan, 647

10. Axar Patel, 645

ICC ODI Team Rankings

1. South Africa, 119 (points)

2. Australia, 117

3. India, 117

4. England, 113

5. New Zealand, 111

6. Pakistan, 95

7. Bangladesh, 94

8. Sri Lanka, 86

9. West Indies, 78

10. Afghanistan, 54

11. Zimbabwe, 52,

12. Ireland, 41