One-day international (ODI) cricket continues to be one of the sport’s most intriguing formats. It blends the length and strategy of the multi-day game with the explosive scoring and tactical innovation associated with T20 cricket.
For fans, it’s a dream format: momentum swings, matchups, and enough narrative over 100 overs to keep broadcasters and cricket betting enthusiasts glued to the screen. With that in mind, here’s an up-to-date ranking of the four standout ODI nations in world cricket.
1. India
India remain the gold standard in ODI cricket and have done so for some time. They have held the No.1 ranking since September 2023, clocking up an extraordinary 28 months at the summit — the third-longest reign in the history of the sport. Only South Africa’s era of dominance between 1996 and 2000 (48 months), and the West Indies’ staggering 65 months through the 1980s surpass them.
India’s modern supremacy is underpinned by depth in both batting and bowling, alongside a conveyor belt of young talent ready to step in when required. They secured their third Champions Trophy title last year, negotiating the group stages unbeaten and toppling New Zealand by four wickets in a tense final. The victory served as a timely reminder that, even while others rise and fall, India remain the most complete ODI outfit in the world.
2. New Zealand
If any side has made a compelling case for upward momentum, it’s New Zealand. Over the course of 2025, the Black Caps climbed from fifth to second in the ICC rankings — a remarkable ascent that reflects both consistency and adaptability.
Their journey to the Champions Trophy final undoubtedly boosted confidence, but that was only part of the story. A 3-0 sweep of England on home soil was followed by series wins in the West Indies and a gritty 2-1 triumph in India. Meanwhile, Daryl Mitchell has surged to the top of the ODI batting rankings, dethroning India’s Virat Kohli and giving New Zealand a talismanic presence at the crease. Long admired for their efficiency and tactical clarity, the Kiwis are now pairing it with genuine match-winning quality.
3. Australia
Australia sit third, which feels unusual for a cricketing powerhouse accustomed to setting the pace across multiple formats. Remarkably, this is currently their weakest ranking compared with Test and T20 cricket — the Ashes winners are No.1 in Tests and trail only India in T20s.
A testing run across the middle of the calendar saw defeats to Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, and South Africa. But the year ended on a more positive note with a hard-fought 2-1 series win in India. The retirement of Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell from the ODI setup in 2025 leaves significant gaps in both experience and tactical flexibility. How swiftly Australia fill those vacancies may determine whether they stay in the chasing pack or mount another serious run at the top spot.
4. Pakistan
Pakistan round out the top four after a 2025 campaign that oscillated between frustration and reinvention. Their year began on a sour note, losing the Tri-Nation Series final to New Zealand before failing to progress from the group stage of the Champions Trophy — a particularly bitter outcome given they were defending the title on home soil.
A loss on tour in the West Indies deepened concerns, but momentum shifted dramatically when Pakistan returned home. Back-to-back series wins over South Africa and Sri Lanka stabilised the ranking picture and restored belief. The appointment of Shaheen Shah Afridi as captain appears to have injected something new into the setup — whether it proves a masterstroke will be one of ODI cricket’s more intriguing storylines over the next 12 months.
