Is Babar Azam Still the Rightful No. 1? Examining His Ranking Amid Recent No-Shows

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For years, Babar Azam has been hailed as the world’s top ODI batter, but is it time to question whether he truly deserves the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI rankings? With Shubman Gill closing in fast, many are wondering whether Babar’s reign is being propped up by past glories rather than current performances.

The latest ICC ODI rankings update sees Gill leapfrogging to No. 2, just five rating points behind Babar (786 vs. 781) after his brilliant ODI series against England. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma slipped to No. 3 despite an impressive century.

The real question, however, is: Does Babar still deserve to be No. 1 after several underwhelming performances? Or is he benefiting from a lack of matches while others do the hard work?

Babar’s Questionable Hold on No. 1 Spot

Babar Azam’s record in ODIs is phenomenal, no doubt. But how long can past consistency keep someone at the top while others are outperforming him in real time?

  • Lack of recent high-impact performances – Babar hasn’t been the game-changer for Pakistan in recent ODIs, often getting starts but failing to convert them into match-winning knocks.
  • Inflated ranking due to past performances – His dominance stems from 2021-2022, when he consistently scored big runs. But does that justify his continued reign in 2024?
  • Fewer games, less competition – Unlike Indian batters, who are constantly tested against top teams, Babar hasn’t faced enough high-quality opposition recently to prove his ranking.

When Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are playing in a high-intensity series against England, constantly proving their mettle, Babar Azam is sitting at the top with little to show for it in recent months.

Shubman Gill: The Real No. 1 in Waiting?

If ranking points truly reflected recent performances, then Shubman Gill should already be No. 1. His recent performances suggest that he isn’t just knocking on the door—he’s ready to break it down.

🔥 Gill’s latest ODI scores vs. England:

✅ 87 (Nagpur)
✅ 60 (Cuttack)
✅ 112 (Ahmedabad) (7th ODI century)

With these performances, Gill is rapidly closing in on Babar Azam and could overtake him with another strong showing in India’s next ODI series.

So why is Gill still second?

  • He has consistently scored runs in high-stakes matches.
  • He’s been dominant across different conditions.
  • He has outperformed Babar in crucial moments recently.

The real issue isn’t just that Gill is behind Babar—it’s that Babar hasn’t done anything in months to actually deserve staying ahead.

Is ICC’s Ranking System Favoring Babar Azam?

A growing debate in cricketing circles questions whether the ICC ranking system protects players with past achievements rather than rewarding current form.

🚨 Key issues with the ranking system:

  • Past performances hold too much weight – Babar hasn’t played enough recent high-impact ODIs yet remains No. 1.
  • Lower-ranked teams inflate statistics – Pakistan plays fewer ODIs against elite teams, making Babar’s stats harder to compare with players like Gill.
  • Current form should matter more – Gill has been dominant in a competitive series against a quality England attack, yet he remains behind Babar, who has been inconsistent.

If rankings were truly based on merit, shouldn’t Gill have already surpassed Babar?

The Reality Check: Babar Needs to Prove He’s No. 1

There’s no doubt that Babar Azam is a world-class batter, but being No. 1 requires continuously proving yourself at the highest level. And right now, Shubman Gill is outperforming him.

  • If Babar wants to stay at No. 1, he needs to deliver in Pakistan’s upcoming ODIs.
  • Gill is just one big innings away from overtaking him.
  • Rohit Sharma isn’t far behind either and could soon be in the mix.

For now, Babar remains at the top—but not because of recent dominance. He’s there due to a legacy of past achievements and a system that doesn’t reflect real-time performances.

Will Gill finally dethrone him in the coming weeks? Or will Babar silence his critics and prove why he deserves the No. 1 ranking?

One thing is clear: The clock is ticking for Babar, and Gill is coming for the crown. 🏏🔥

What’s your take? Should Gill already be No. 1, or does Babar deserve more time to prove himself? Drop your thoughts below! 👇💬

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