NEW DELHI: Rohit Sharma etched his name in the record books by claiming the No. 1 spot on the latest ICC Men's ODI Batting Rankings - the first time in his illustrious career. With this feat, Rohit at the age of 38 years and 182 days, also became the oldest Indian batter ever to achieve the top position in the ODI rankings.

Rohit Sharma surpasses Shubman Gill to become the World’s No. 1 ODI batter at 38

Rohit climbed two places to the top of the ICC Men's ODI Batting Rankings following his sublime unbeaten century in the third and final ODI against Australia in Sydney, where he guided India to a commanding nine-wicket victory.

The 38-year-old's stellar knock helped him surpass Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran and teammate Shubman Gill to claim the No. 1 ranking for the first time in his career. Remarkably, Rohit has been a constant presence inside the top 10 for most of the past decade.

Rohit became the fifth Indian batter to record the No. 1 rank in ODIs after Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill.

Here are a few key instances of oldest cricketers to reach No. 1 in various ICC rankings:

* In February 2024, Mohammad Nabi of Afghanistan became No. 1 in the ODI all-rounder rankings at 39 years and 1 month, making him the oldest to top that category. Sri Lanka's Tillkaratne Dilshan held the previous record at 38 years and eight months when he was number one in June 2015.

* James Anderson of England became No. 1 in the Test bowling rankings at 40 years and 207 days, making him the oldest since 1936 to top the bowlers' ranking in Test cricket. Australia's Clarrie Grimmett achieved the feat back then when he was aged 44 years and 2 months.

* Bert Ironmonger remains the oldest cricketer ever to top the ICC Test bowling rankings. The Australian left-arm spinner achieved the No. 1 position at the age of 50 years and 10 months in February 1933. England's 'Tich' Freeman (41 years and 2 months in July 1929) and Sydney Barnes (40 years and 9 months in February 1914) are the only bowlers older than James Anderson to have reached the top spot in Test rankings.