From Virat Kohli To Brian Lara: Top 5 Batsmen At No.1 Position For Most Consecutive Days In History - In Pics

Viv Richards, renowned for his destructive batting style, achieved a strike rate of over 90% during his career. He played a pivotal role in the West Indies' World Cup-winning campaigns in 1975 and 1979. Richards held the No.1 spot in the ODI rankings for an impressive 1748 days, the highest for any batsman.  

Michael Bevan, an Australian cricketer, made his ODI debut in 1994 against Sri Lanka. He was known as "The Finisher" for his ability to rescue the team from precarious situations. Bevan hit 21 sixes in his 232 ODI matches. He held the top spot for 1259 consecutive days.  

Considered one of the best batsmen in the world, Virat Kohli had his most prolific years in 2017 and 2018, scoring six ODI centuries in each of those years. Although he experienced a century drought after 2019, Kohli recently scored another century in the series against Bangladesh. He remained at the No.1 position for 1258 straight days.  

Dean Jones, an Australian cricketer, made his ODI debut in January 1984 against Pakistan. He played a crucial role in Australia's victory in the 1987 World Cup. Known for his contributions in the middle order, Jones featured prominently in both Test and ODI formats. He held the No.1 ranking for 1146 days.  

Brian Lara, considered one of the greatest batsmen of all time, made his ODI debut in 1990 against Pakistan. He amassed over 10,000 runs in the format, with his highest score being 169 off 129 deliveries. Lara's last ODI was against England in 2007, and he held the No.1 ranking for 1049 days.  

In a remarkable display of consistent performance in ODI cricket, Dhoni attained the top ranking for the first time in April 2006, surpassing Ricky Ponting. However, his reign at the pinnacle was short-lived, as Adam Gilchrist claimed the position just a week later. Dhoni's incredible batting prowess once again propelled him to the top of the ODI rankings in 2009. His blistering form saw him accumulate 1198 runs in a mere 24 innings, boasting an impressive average of 70.43. Notably, he finished as the joint top-scorer in ODIs that year, alongside Ricky Ponting. Maintaining his exceptional performance, Dhoni held onto the top spot for several months in 2009. However, in 2010, he was eventually displaced by Michael Hussey, marking a shift in the rankings.  

Babar Azam, the talented Pakistani cricketer, has showcased remarkable consistency and skill in the ODI format, earning him the prestigious title of being the number one batsman in the ICC ODI rankings for the past two years. Since ascending to the top spot, Babar has exhibited a remarkable ability to score runs consistently and adapt to different match situations. His elegant strokeplay, solid technique, and impeccable timing have made him a formidable force in world cricket. With an impressive average and a growing number of centuries under his belt, Babar Azam has firmly established himself as one of the premier batsmen in the ODI arena, and his reign at the top of the ICC rankings is a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication to the sport.