Can Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill Overtake Babar Azam in the ODI Rankings? A Brief Analysis

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have showcased their excellent form in their recent ODIs against England in Cuttack. Rohit Sharma, who had been struggling with his form, scored his 32nd century in ODIs, marking a significant return to his best. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill's consistency in ODIs has been remarkable, as he achieved two consecutive scores of over fifty in this series.

Currently, Rohit Sharma ranks 2nd (765 points) and Shubman Gill ranks 3rd (763 points) in the ODI rankings. The number one ODI batter, Babar Azam, has been facing a rough patch with inconsistencies over the past year, which has affected his standing. He holds 795 points, but his recent innings against New Zealand in the tri-series saw him dismissed for just 10 runs off 23 balls. 

These performances could soon be reflected in the rankings, and with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill in excellent form, they could potentially surpass Babar Azam. Here is a brief opinion on how Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill might overtake Babar Azam in the ODI rankings.

Understanding ODI Player Rankings: The Fundamentals Behind Rating System

If a batter scores a century on a balanced pitch in an ODI, their rating points will be much higher than if they score the same on a poor pitch. The ICC ranking system considers various factors like pitch quality, the strength of the opposition, and the match situation when calculating points. For example, a century on a balanced pitch against a strong bowling attack will lead to a significant increase in rating points.

Key factors that affect rating points:

• Quality of opposition: Scoring against a tough bowling attack earns more points than against a weaker one.
• Runs scored: A century is a major contributor to the points.
• Pitch condition: A century on a balanced pitch gets more points compared to one on an easy or tough pitch.
• Match situation: Runs scored in important situations, like chasing a target or during pressure moments, are valued higher.
• Strike rate: A high strike rate with a century boosts the rating points further.

Important things to keep in mind:

• Complex algorithm: The points are calculated using a complex formula that considers all these factors, not just the runs scored.
• No fixed value for a century: The points for a century can vary depending on the match context and other influencing factors.

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill Poised to Surpass Babar Azam in ODI Rankings

Based on the fundamental factors without considering the complex algorithm, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma have a strong chance of surpassing Babar Azam in the rankings once the next update is made.

Here’s why:

• Shubman Gill scored two fifties (87 off 96 and 60 off 52) and played a key role in both matches, especially in the chase. His consistent performances, combined with his solid contributions on balanced pitches, should boost his rating.
• Rohit Sharma made a brilliant century in just 77 balls in the second ODI, with a good strike rate, and played a crucial role in the chase. His match-winning knock, coupled with the balanced pitch conditions, should push his rating up.

Both players performed well on balanced pitches against quality opposition like England, and with the recent ODI rankings update being on January 14, the timing aligns well for them to rise in the rankings once the next update comes through.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam, despite being at the top, could see a dip in his rating due to his underwhelming performance in Karachi, where he scored just 10(23), impacting his match situation and his team. Given the strong performances from Gill and Sharma, it’s likely that both will surpass him in the upcoming ranking update.