Babar Azam's reign as No.1 ODI batter coming to end as India star close to dethroning him

Pakistan cricket team skipper Babar Azam is currently the number one ODI batsman in the world but was not able to perform as per his reputation in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2023. Babar failed to score against quality bowling lineups like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India, whereas, his only ton came against the inexperienced bowling attack of Nepal. Babar was dismissed for scores of 10 and 29 runs respectively in Pakistan's important clashes against India and Sri Lanka. 

3 things you need to know

• Pakistan was ruled out of the Asia Cup 2023 after losing the virtual semi-final against Sri Lanka
• Pakistan is currently the number one ranked team in the ICC ODI Rankings 
• Babar Azam scored 207 runs from five matches in the Asia Cup 2023 

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Gill on the verge of surpassing Babar Azam as the number-one ODI batter 

(Team India batter Shubman Gill during the Asia Cup 2023/ Image: AP)

Team India batsman Shubman Gill was the highest run scorer in the Asia Cup 2023 and scored 302 runs from six matches. He also scored a ton against Bangladesh in the team's last Super 4s match but was not able to take Team India over the line. Apart from scoring a century against Bangladesh, Gill scored a fine half-century against Pakistan and his fine performance in the Asia Cup 2023 helped him jump to the second spot in the ICC ODI Batsmen Rankings. 

Shubman Gill is currently placed at the second spot in the ICC Men's ODI Batsmen Rankings with 814 rating points. Gill now just needs 43 more rating points to surpass Babar Azam (857) and become the number-one-ranked ODI batsman. Gill will get a chance to do so in the IND vs AUS ODI series, and with the kind of form of the right-handed young opener, he will not take much time to achieve the milestone. 

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Shubman Gill to be number one choice as the opener in the 50-over World Cup

Indian cricket team opener Shubman Gill has had the best 11 months of his life and has scored hundreds in all the formats, From his first Test hundred against Bangladesh in December 2022 to an Asia Cup ton against the same opposition few days, Gill is in the best form of his life. As the Indian team is all set to begin its ODI World Cup 2023 campaign on October 8, Shubman Gill will be the first preferred choice as an opener in the tournament.