Photographs: Scott Barbour/Getty Images Rediff Sports Desk
Virat Kohli is described as the 'prince' of Indian cricket and with his regularly slamming centuries in One-Day Internationals, he can soon be the king.
India's stand-in captain for the Asia Cup has reclaimed the No 1 position in the latest ICC Player Rankings for ODI Batsmen, which were released on Sunday after the conclusion of the Asia Cup.
Kohli entered the Asia Cup, trailing No 1 ranked South African batsman AB de Villiers by two ratings points.
Kohli's tournament aggregate of 189 runs in three innings with 136 against Bangladesh as his series best earned him 12 ratings points, which has put him ahead of South Africa's ODI captain by nine ratings points.
Following his knock of 136, Kohli had achieved his career high rating of 886 but finished with 881 ratings points after scores of 48 (against Sri Lanka) and five (against Pakistan). He didn't bat against Afghanistan.
Kohli was last ranked No 1 just before the ODI series against New Zealand in January.
Dhawan, Rohit Sharma move up in Rankings
Image: Shikhar DhawanPhotographs: BCCI
Other Indian batsmen to head in the right direction include Shikhar Dhawan in eighth (up by three place), Rohit Sharma in 22nd (up by one place) and Ravindra Jadeja in 50th (up by 12 places).
Sri Lanka's Lahiru Thirimanne jumps 29 places
Image: Sri Lanka's Lahiru Thirimanne celebrates after scoring a century against Pakistan.Photographs: Andrew Biraj/Reuters
Strong batting performances in the Asia Cup have resulted in a reshuffle of the positions, with Sri Lanka's Lahiru Thirimanne, who won the player of the tournament, making the biggest progress. The left-handed opener has jumped 29 places to a career-best 39th position.
Jadeja, Ashwin rise
Image: Ravichandaran AshwinPhotographs: BCCI
In the ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers, India spinners -- Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandaran Ashwin – are the biggest gainers inside the top 20.
Jadeja has earned four places and is now in fifth position after claiming seven wickets in four matches, while Ashwin's nine wickets in the series has given him a lift of seven places that has put him in 14th position.
Amit Mishra has also gained five places to be at 36th.
India guaranteed No 2 spot
Image: India coach Duncan Fletcher, right, with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.Photographs: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Meanwhile, India team has been guaranteed to retain its No 2 position in the ICC ODI Team Rankings at the 1 April cut-off date.
India finished with 113 ratings points, just one ahead of third-ranked Sri Lanka, to walk away with a prize of $75,000.
There was no other change in the table with all sides retaining their positions.
Australia were assured of the No 1 ranking on the cut-off date in January after India lost their ODI series against New Zealand 0-4. The Aussies will receive the ODI Shield as well as a cheque of $175,000.
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