Cricketer Rohit Sharma became the number one ODI batter for the first time on Wednesday — dethroning Shubman Gill to take the top spot. The former team India skipper rose two spots on the back of his superb unbeaten century in the third and final ODI between India and Australia in Sydney. Sharma is also the oldest cricketer to achieve the feat at the age of 38 years and 182 days.

The experienced right-hander was in a damaging mood alongside fellow India legend Virat Kohli (74*) as he smashed 13 fours and three massive sixes on his way to scoring his 33rd ODI century for his country. The 38-year-old has held a spot inside the top 10 for the majority of the last decade . He overtook Afghanistan dasher Ibrahim Zadran and India teammate Shubman Gill as he claimed the top ranking for batters in ODI cricket for the very first time.

The former skipper wasn’t the only India player to make some ground on the updated rankings this week — with Axar Patel gaining in both both the bowling and all-rounder category after his strong game in Sydney. The spinner jumped six places to 31st behind No.1 ranked Rashid Khan on the list for ODI bowlers and improves four spots to eighth overall behind Azmatullah Omarzai on the rankings for ODI all-rounders.

Shreyas Iyer on the road to recovery

The ODI series against Australia however ended in disaster for fellow cricketer Shreyas Iyer after a injury to his left lower rib cage landed him in the hospital. The team India vice-captain had landed awkwardly after taking a fantastic diving catch to dismiss Alex Carey.

“Shreyas Iyer sustained a blunt injury to his abdomen, resulting in a laceration of his spleen with internal bleeding on 25th October during the third ODI against Australia. The injury was promptly identified, and the bleeding was immediately arrested. His condition is now stable, and he continues to be under observation. A repeat scan done on Tuesday, 28th October, has shown significant improvement, and Shreyas is on the road to recovery. The BCCI Medical Team, in consultation with specialists in Sydney and India, will continue to monitor his progress,” said a statement from BCCI.

(With inputs from agencies)