ICC Rankings: Maheesh Theekshana displaced as No.1 ODI bowler
August 20, 2025 02:04 pm
Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana has lost his No.1 spot in the ICC Men’s ODI rankings as South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj took over the top spot after the latest update on August 19.
Maharaj claimed the No.1 rankings on the back of his maiden ODI five-wicket haul against Australia in Cairns on Tuesday, with the left-armer gaining two places to climb in front of spinner Maheesh Theekshana (second) and India tweaker Kuldeep Yadav (third) on the updated rankings.
The 35-year-old veteran used all his experience to collect figures of 5/33 against Australia, which ensured the Proteas registered an impressive 98-run victory and helped him return to the top of the rankings.
Maharaj first held the No.1 ODI bowler ranking back in November 2023 when he displaced India seamer Mohammed Siraj during the most recent edition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
He now has 687 rating points while Theekshana has accumulated 671 points.
Spinner Wanindu Hasaranga with 619 rating points remains eighth in the ICC rankings for bowlers.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s experienced duo Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma have climbed four and five spots respectively on the latest list for ODI batters.
India’s Shubman Gill tops the ODI rankings for batters ahead of Pakistan’s Babar Azam and New Zealand’s Darly Mitchell.
Sri Lanka ODI skipper Charith Asalanka is placed fourth while opener Kusal Mendis dropped one spot to ninth in the latest ICC rankings.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s next assignment is against Zimbabwe next month.
