ODI Cricketer of the Year 2025: Will Virat Kohli claim the crown again?

After being written off earlier in the year, Virat Kohli has finished 2025 as India’s most consistent ODI batter and a strong contender for the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award.

At the start of the year, debates around Virat Kohli’s future in international cricket were growing louder, with sections questioning whether his career was nearing its end. As 2025 draws to a close, those conversations have completely faded, replaced by praise for a remarkable comeback driven purely by performance.

Kohli has rediscovered his dominance in one-day internationals, once again establishing himself as one of the format’s greatest players. Known for his mastery while chasing, consistency at the top, and ability to deliver under pressure, the former India captain has returned to peak form at a crucial time.

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The International Cricket Council has nominated Virat Kohli for the Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award for 2025. With the voting process underway, discussions among fans suggest Kohli is a leading contender and could potentially claim the honour for the fourth time in his career.

In 2025, Kohli featured in 13 ODI innings and emerged as India’s highest run-scorer in the format, finishing ahead of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer. He amassed 651 runs at an impressive average of 65.10, including three centuries and four half-centuries, underlining his consistency across tournaments and bilateral series.

Kohli’s impact was most visible on the big stage. During the Champions Trophy, he produced match-winning performances in high-pressure encounters, earning Player of the Match awards against Pakistan and Australia in the semi-final. His form continued against South Africa, where he dominated the bowling attack with centuries in Ranchi and Raipur, and a blistering half-century in Visakhapatnam. He finished the series with 302 runs at an extraordinary average of 151, earning the Player of the Series award.

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His performances also reflected in the ICC rankings. Following the South Africa series, Kohli climbed to second place in the ODI batting rankings, achieving his highest rating since April 2021.

At 37, Kohli’s run-filled year has stood out even among younger players, making him one of the strongest contenders for the 2025 ODI Cricketer of the Year title.

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