The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released its latest Men’s ODI All-Rounder Rankings, and this update has brought with it several surprises and new milestones. While Asian players have once again stamped their authority in the all-rounder category, what has shocked many cricket fans is the absence of any Indian cricketer in the top five list. The updated rankings reflect not only individual brilliance but also the shifting dynamics of world cricket, where emerging nations like Afghanistan and Zimbabwe are increasingly producing match-winning all-rounders.

Asian Supremacy in ODI Rankings

The newly released rankings showcase how Asian cricket continues to dominate in the ODI format. Afghanistan, in particular, has emerged as the biggest talking point. Two of their key all-rounders occupy the first two positions in the world rankings, proving how far the nation has come in a very short time since gaining ODI status. Alongside Afghanistan, Bangladesh also finds representation, with one of their most consistent performers entering the top five.

The presence of Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza and New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell further demonstrates the global spread of all-rounder talent in modern cricket. However, the glaring absence of Indian all-rounders like Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, or Axar Patel has raised eyebrows, as India has traditionally produced some of the finest all-round talents.

Let’s take a closer look at the top five players who currently dominate the ICC ODI all-rounder rankings.

1. Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan) – 296 Rating Points

At just 24 years of age, Azmatullah Omarzai has become the face of Afghanistan’s next-generation cricketing stars. He currently holds the No.1 spot in the ICC ODI all-rounder rankings with 296 rating points. Omarzai achieved this career-high rating during Afghanistan’s series against Australia in Lahore in 2025.

Known for his explosive batting in the lower middle order and his sharp seam bowling, Omarzai has been instrumental in several of Afghanistan’s recent ODI victories. His ability to absorb pressure and deliver in crunch moments has drawn comparisons to some of the finest all-rounders in world cricket. Experts believe that his rise reflects Afghanistan’s growing investment in youth cricket and its emphasis on producing multi-skilled players.

2. Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan) – 292 Rating Points

Sitting right behind Omarzai is veteran Mohammad Nabi, one of Afghanistan’s most experienced and respected cricketers. With 292 points, Nabi continues to prove his longevity and consistency. Known as the backbone of Afghan cricket for more than a decade, he has been a vital contributor both with bat and ball.

Nabi first achieved global recognition back in 2017, when he recorded his career-best rating of 350 points against Ireland in Greater Noida. While age might have slowed him down slightly, his wealth of experience and ability to guide younger players like Omarzai make him irreplaceable. His continued presence in the top tier of the rankings is a testament to his adaptability across conditions and his commitment to Afghanistan cricket.

3. Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) – 290 Rating Points

Few players in modern cricket have carried the hopes of their nation as much as Sikandar Raza has done for Zimbabwe. Ranked third with 290 points, Raza remains the heart and soul of Zimbabwean cricket. His ability to perform under pressure and inspire his team with both bat and ball has earned him international recognition as one of the most complete all-rounders in world cricket today.

Raza’s peak rating came in 2024, when he registered 299 points against Pakistan in Bulawayo. Known for his aggressive batting style and clever off-spin, he has been a consistent match-winner for Zimbabwe. Beyond the statistics, Raza’s influence on Zimbabwe cricket has been immense—encouraging younger players to step up and believe in competing at the highest level.

4. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh) – 249 Rating Points

Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz finds himself in the fourth spot with 249 points. The young off-spinning all-rounder has been an integral part of the Bangladesh ODI setup, consistently delivering with the ball while also proving to be a handy batsman down the order.

Miraz’s career-best rating of 295 points came in 2022, during a memorable series against India in Mirpur, where his all-round brilliance stunned one of the strongest teams in the world. Over the years, Miraz has built a reputation for being a reliable performer, particularly in home conditions. His ability to bowl in the powerplay and keep the scoring rate under control has added immense value to Bangladesh’s ODI team.

5. Michael Bracewell (New Zealand) – 246 Rating Points

Representing New Zealand in the fifth position is Michael Bracewell, who has rapidly risen through the ranks in international cricket. With 246 points, Bracewell is currently enjoying the best phase of his career. His career-best rating came in 2025 against Pakistan at Bay Oval, where he produced a stellar all-round performance.

Bracewell, known for his versatile batting and effective off-spin, has been crucial in maintaining New Zealand’s tradition of producing dependable all-rounders. He has not only strengthened New Zealand’s middle order but has also provided captain Kane Williamson with a reliable bowling option in limited-overs cricket.

The Big Shock: No Indian Player in the Top 5

While the dominance of Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, and New Zealand has been celebrated, one of the biggest surprises of the rankings is that not a single Indian all-rounder features in the top five list.

For years, players like Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya were considered among the finest ODI all-rounders in world cricket. Jadeja’s ability to provide breakthroughs in the middle overs and Pandya’s role as a finisher made them valuable assets for India. However, injuries, workload management, and inconsistent form seem to have affected their rankings.

This absence raises important questions about the current state of India’s ODI setup. While India continues to dominate the batting and bowling charts, the lack of all-rounders in the top five highlights a possible gap in balance compared to other teams.

Why These Rankings Matter

The ICC ODI all-rounder rankings not only measure individual brilliance but also reflect the balance of modern cricket teams. A quality all-rounder can change the course of a match—whether through quick runs in the death overs, breakthroughs in the middle stages, or fielding brilliance.

For Afghanistan, having two players in the top two positions is nothing short of historic. It signifies the country’s rise as a competitive force in world cricket. For Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, the presence of Raza and Miraz underlines their reliance on multi-talented cricketers to remain competitive. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s inclusion of Bracewell ensures their reputation as one of the most balanced sides in world cricket stays intact.

Conclusion

The latest ICC ODI all-rounder rankings have painted a clear picture of the changing landscape of world cricket. With Afghanistan leading the pack, supported by stars from Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, the global all-rounder scene has become more diverse than ever before.

However, the complete absence of Indian players in the top five serves as a wake-up call for the Men in Blue. If India is to continue being a dominant force in ODIs, investing in and nurturing genuine all-rounders will be crucial.

For now, the spotlight firmly rests on Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi, who symbolize not just Afghanistan’s cricketing rise but also the evolution of ODI cricket into a game where multi-skilled players hold the ultimate key to success.

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