ICC Men's ODI Rankings: Shubman Gill closes in on Babar Azam at top spot after Asia Cup heroics

India's prodigious batter Shubman Gill is hot on the heels of Babar Azam in the ICC ODI Rankings for batters, following the latest update released on Wednesday, September 20.

The current 2023 season has been a golden year for Gill in the ODI arena. His prowess was on full display during the Asia Cup 2023, where he stood out as the tournament's top run-scorer. In India's final Super 4 match against Bangladesh, Gill notched up his fifth ODI century, complemented by two half-centuries earlier in the competition. This splendid form ensured he surpassed the 1000-run mark in ODIs for 2023, making him the 13th Indian to reach this milestone.

Ever since Gill took on the role of an opener in ODIs in December 2020, his consistency has been nothing short of phenomenal. Yet, 2023 has been a standout year for him. In just 17 innings, he accumulated a whopping 1,025 runs, boasting an enviable average of 68.33 and a strike rate of 103.32.

Gill's achievements aren't limited to the ODI format. He's crossed 1500 runs across all formats this year, achieved in 33 outings, inclusive of six centuries and five half-centuries. His stellar show in the Asia Cup 2023 played a pivotal role in reaching these impressive numbers. Although he faced a minor slump during the West Indies tour in July, which spilled into the Asia Cup, Gill's subsequent performances were a befitting reply to his critics.

At just 24, Gill has become India's top run-scorer across formats this year. Moreover, he holds the unique distinction of being the sole Indian batter to have centuries in all three formats. The recent ICC ODI Rankings update reveals Gill's narrowing gap with Babar Azam, trailing by a mere 43 rating points.

Having already made significant strides before the Asia Cup, Gill now has a golden opportunity to overtake the Pakistani captain in the rankings, especially if he shines in the upcoming series against Australia.

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