MUMBAI: India's vice-captain Shubman Gill has overtaken Pakistan's Babar Azam to become the top-ranked ODI batter in the latest ICC rankings, released just ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Gill's exceptional performances in the recent home series against England propelled him to the No. 1 position, surpassing Babar, who had held the spot for a significant period.

The 25-year-old Indian opener played a crucial role in India's 3-0 series sweep over England, registering two half-centuries and a century. His impressive form earned him 796 rating points, ahead of Babar's 773. This marks the second time Gill has ascended to the top, having previously claimed the No. 1 ranking during the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, sits in third place with 761 points, while South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen and New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell occupy the fourth and fifth spots, respectively.

The ICC highlighted the significance of this shift in rankings just as the Champions Trophy kicks off in Pakistan and Dubai, adding an intriguing sub-plot to the tournament.