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From Virat Kohli to Ishan Kishan: Meet the 4 Indians who have reached No.1 in ICC Men’s T20I rankings
Ishan Kishan’s rise to the top has added his name to an elite Indian list, joining Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav and Abhishek Sharma in T20I history.
Indian cricket has once again stamped its authority in the shortest format of the game.
With Ishan Kishan recently climbing to the No.1 spot in the ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings, India now has four batters who have achieved the milestone — underlining the country’s dominance in T20 cricket.
Kishan’s rise has placed him in an exclusive club alongside Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and Abhishek Sharma — the only Indian batters to top the prestigious rankings.
Virat Kohli: The first Indian trailblazer
It all began with Virat Kohli.
Back in May 2014, Kohli became the first Indian batter to reach the summit of ICC’s T20I rankings, setting the benchmark for the next generation.
Before retiring from T20 internationals in 2024, Kohli had built an incredible legacy in the format, scoring 4,188 runs in 117 innings, including one century and 38 half-centuries.
His consistency across multiple World Cups and bilateral series made him one of the greatest T20 batters of all time.
Suryakumar Yadav: The 360-degree gamechanger
Years later, Suryakumar Yadav took over the crown with his fearless and innovative batting.
Known for redefining modern T20 strokeplay, SKY’s explosive run saw him become the world’s No.1 batter and reach a career-best rating of 912 points, one of the highest in T20I history.
His rise marked a new era for India’s aggressive batting approach.
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Abhishek Sharma: The new-age powerhouse
Then came Abhishek Sharma, whose fearless hitting and rapid scoring pushed him to the top of the rankings in 2025.
Abhishek even achieved a historic 931 rating points, the highest ever for an Indian T20I batter, proving his dominance in the format.
His aggressive intent made him a crucial pillar in India’s T20 setup.
Ishan Kishan: The latest to join the elite
Now, Ishan Kishan has completed the list.
After a strong run of performances over the past year, Kishan overtook Abhishek Sharma to claim the top spot, becoming the fourth Indian batter to do so.
His comeback to the Indian T20 setup and consistent scoring have played a major role in his rise.
With four Indian names now etched into T20I ranking history, the message is clear: India’s batting depth in the shortest format remains unmatched.
And with young stars continuing to emerge, this list may only get longer.
