Rare gifts that keep on giving

At an age when most cricketers either step away from the game or begin planning for life beyond it, India's evergreen greats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are still rewriting what longevity can look like at the elite level. And now, they appear poised for a fascinating duel for the No.1 spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings.

Kohli has surged again in the latest ICC Men's ODI Player Rankings released on Wednesday, strengthening his push to reclaim the top position he last held in April 2021 before being overtaken by Pakistan's Babar Azam. His recent form in the three-match ODI series against South Africa underlined a remarkable late-career renaissance. The 37-year-old piled up 302 runs across the series, earning the player of the series award, and climbed two places to No.2 -- just behind longtime teammate Rohit Sharma.

Rohit, 38, retained his place at the summit after scoring 146 runs in the same series, with Kohli now a mere eight rating points behind following his unbeaten 65 in the Visakhapatnam finale. Their duel is set to continue when India host New Zealand for a three-match ODI series from 11 January, a contest that will put renewed focus on two veterans still producing masterclass innings while defying sporting age norms.

Despite constant speculation about their futures, both Rohit and Kohli continue to silence doubts with weight of runs. Free from the relentless demands of Test cricket and the intensity of T20Is, the pair have channelled their experience and energy into ODIs -- and the results have been emphatic.

Kohli's last four ODI innings -- 74*, 135, 102 and 65* -- reflect a sustained stretch of dominance. Rohit, leaner and purposeful at the crease, has notched four fifty-plus scores in his last five appearances, reaffirming his control at the top.

Whether the duo will still be around for the 2027 World Cup is uncertain. But for now, their longevity, hunger and sheer class continue to light up India's ODI cricket. For millions of fans, Rohit and Kohli remain the rare gifts that keep on giving.