Ishan Kishan Becomes No. 1 T20I Batter, Replaces Abhishek Sharma at Top of ICC Rankings

India’s Ishan Kishan has achieved a major milestone in international cricket by becoming the new No. 1-ranked T20I batter in the latest ICC Men’s T20I rankings. The left-handed opener has replaced his India teammate Abhishek Sharma , ending Abhishek’s long stay at the top of the ICC T20I batting rankings.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the updated rankings on July 1, 2026, ahead of the first T20I match between England and India. The rankings update came after India’s recent two-match T20I series against Ireland in Belfast.

Ishan Kishan Achieves Career-Best ICC T20I Rating

Ishan Kishan reached a new career-high rating of 876 points and moved ahead of Abhishek Sharma after the conclusion of the India vs Ireland T20I series . Despite India suffering a 2-0 defeat against Ireland in Belfast, Kishan’s consistent performances helped him climb to the top position in the ICC T20I batter rankings.


Kishan’s rise to the No. 1 spot has been driven by his impressive performances in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this year. The explosive left-hander scored 317 runs in the tournament at a strike rate of more than 200. His standout performance came against Pakistan in Colombo, where he delivered a Player of the Match-winning display.

Abhishek Sharma’s 12-Month Reign Comes to an End

Abhishek Sharma had held the No. 1 position in the ICC T20I batting rankings for nearly 12 months before being overtaken by Ishan Kishan. His consistent performances with the bat helped him maintain the top spot for an extended period.