On August 20, 2025, the cricketing world was thrown into a frenzy when the International Cricket Council (ICC) released its updated Men’s ODI batting rankings, and two of India’s biggest cricketing superstars, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, were conspicuously absent. Just a week prior, on August 13, Rohit Sharma held the No. 2 spot and Virat Kohli was comfortably placed at No. 4 with 736 rating points. Their sudden disappearance from the top 100 sparked widespread confusion, speculation, and outrage among fans, with social media platforms buzzing with questions about whether this was a deliberate move, a technical glitch, or even a hint at retirement. The ICC quickly admitted to a technical error, but the incident raised broader questions about the reliability of their ranking system and its impact on the sport’s global perception. This article delves into the details of this unprecedented blunder, its fallout, and what it means for cricket’s governing body and its fans.
The Rankings Disappearance: A Shocking Oversight
The updated ICC ODI batting rankings released on August 20, 2025, were meant to be a routine affair, reflecting the latest performances of players in the 50-over format. Instead, they triggered chaos when fans noticed that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two of India’s most prolific and consistent ODI batsmen, were nowhere to be found—not just in the top 10, but in the entire top 100. This was particularly jarring given their recent performances. Just months earlier, in March 2025, Rohit Sharma had led India to an unbeaten title triumph at the ICC Champions Trophy in the UAE, with a memorable knock in the final against New Zealand. Virat Kohli, too, had been a standout performer in the tournament, reinforcing their status as linchpins of India’s ODI batting lineup.
The absence of these modern-day greats was not only surprising but also inexplicable under the ICC’s ranking regulations. According to the ICC rulebook, players can be excluded from the top 100 if they have not competed within a qualifying window of 9 to 12 months for ODIs. However, both Rohit and Kohli had played in the Champions Trophy, well within this period, making their exclusion baffling. Social media erupted with fan reactions, with posts like, “It’s over bhai. Are they retiring?” and “GUYS WHY DID ICC REMOVE BOTH VIRAT AND ROHIT FROM ICC ODI RANKINGS FFS?” reflecting the shock and disbelief. Some speculated that the ICC had intentionally removed the duo, while others suspected a technical glitch. The absence of an immediate explanation from the ICC only fueled the fire, with fans and analysts questioning the credibility of the organization.
Within hours, the ICC issued a clarification, admitting that the disappearance was due to a “technical glitch” in their system. According to a statement reported by Wisden, the ICC acknowledged “a number of issues” in the week’s rankings and confirmed that they were being investigated. By the evening of August 20, the rankings were updated, and both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were reinstated at their respective No. 2 and No. 4 positions. While the swift correction mitigated some of the damage, the incident left a lasting impression on fans and raised questions about the robustness of the ICC’s technological infrastructure.
The Fallout: Fan Frenzy and Questions of Credibility
The brief vanishing act of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the ICC ODI rankings sent shockwaves through the cricketing community, particularly in India, where the duo enjoys a near-mythical status. Social media platforms like X were flooded with reactions, ranging from humorous memes to outright anger. Fans expressed their frustration with posts like, “Shame on BCCI. Should be a glitch only!” and “Haters will say that Gill has asked ICC to remove Kohli and Rohit from ODI rankings 😭 pure disrespect from @ICC.” The emotional investment of fans was evident, with one user lamenting, “My heart is not ready for this @ImRo45 @imVkohli Please don’t retire😭😭.” The incident also sparked speculation about the players’ future in ODI cricket, with some fans fearing that the glitch was a precursor to retirement announcements, despite both players remaining active in the format.
The controversy wasn’t limited to fan reactions. The incident highlighted deeper issues with the ICC’s ranking system and its susceptibility to errors. For an organization tasked with governing a sport followed by billions, such a high-profile blunder was embarrassing. The rankings are a critical metric for players, teams, and sponsors, influencing everything from player contracts to team morale. The erroneous exclusion of two of the game’s biggest names, even for a few hours, undermined the ICC’s authority and raised questions about the accuracy of their data management systems. Cricket analysts pointed out that this was not an isolated incident; the inclusion of a 54-year-old Kenyan all-rounder in the rankings due to the same technical issues further underscored the extent of the glitch.
The timing of the error added to its significance. With India having recently won the Champions Trophy and Rohit Sharma leading the side with distinction, the omission felt like a disservice to their achievements. Moreover, the rankings update came at a time when Shubman Gill had risen to the No. 1 spot, overtaking Pakistan’s Babar Azam, which only intensified the scrutiny on the ICC. Fans speculated whether the glitch was related to the recalibration of rankings following recent performances, but the lack of transparency in the ICC’s initial response left much to be desired. The incident also reignited debates about the relevance of the ICC rankings in an era where bilateral ODI series are often overshadowed by T20 leagues and major tournaments.
Lessons Learned and the Path Forward
The ICC’s quick response in correcting the rankings was commendable, but the incident exposed vulnerabilities in their operational framework. For an organization that prides itself on maintaining the integrity of the sport, the technical glitch was a wake-up call. The ICC’s ranking system relies on complex algorithms that factor in player performances over a specified period, weighted by match context and opposition strength. Any error in this system, whether due to software bugs or human oversight, can have far-reaching consequences, as seen in the Kohli-Sharma fiasco. The ICC’s acknowledgment of “a number of issues” suggests that the problem was not isolated to the ODI batting rankings, prompting calls for a comprehensive review of their technological processes.
Moving forward, the ICC must prioritize transparency and accountability to rebuild trust among fans and stakeholders. A detailed explanation of the glitch, beyond a vague reference to “technical issues,” would have helped mitigate the backlash. Additionally, investing in robust quality control measures, such as pre-release audits of ranking updates, could prevent similar incidents in the future. The inclusion of a 54-year-old Kenyan player in the rankings, alongside the exclusion of Kohli and Sharma, suggests a systemic issue that requires urgent attention. The ICC could also consider engaging with fans more proactively, perhaps through official statements on platforms like X, to address concerns in real-time and quell misinformation.
For Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the incident was a minor hiccup in their illustrious careers. Both players have been reinstated in the rankings, with Rohit at No. 2 and Kohli at No. 4, reflecting their continued dominance in ODI cricket. Their performances in the Champions Trophy, particularly Rohit’s leadership and Kohli’s consistency, have silenced doubters about their relevance in the 50-over format. However, the incident served as a reminder of their mortality in the sport, with fans and analysts alike contemplating a future without these legends. While retirement rumors were quickly debunked, the episode underscored the emotional connection fans have with these players and the importance of accurate representation in global rankings.
The broader implications of this incident extend beyond the ICC’s technical capabilities. It highlights the evolving nature of cricket, where players like Shubman Gill are emerging as the new face of Indian batting, even as veterans like Kohli and Sharma continue to shine. The rankings controversy also sparked discussions about the relevance of ODI cricket in an increasingly T20-dominated landscape. With India not having played an ODI since the Champions Trophy in March 2025, questions about the format’s scheduling and prominence persist. The ICC must address these challenges to ensure that ODI cricket remains a vibrant part of the sport’s ecosystem, supported by a reliable and transparent ranking system.
The brief disappearance of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the ICC ODI rankings was a momentary lapse that exposed significant flaws in the ICC’s operational framework. While the error was corrected swiftly, the incident left a lasting impact on fans and raised critical questions about the reliability of the ICC’s systems. As cricket continues to evolve, the governing body must adapt to meet the expectations of a global audience, ensuring that such blunders do not overshadow the achievements of the sport’s biggest stars. For now, Kohli and Sharma are back where they belong—among the elite of ODI cricket—but the episode serves as a cautionary tale for the ICC to get its house in order.
