The 37-year-old returns to the summit for the first time since July 2021, securing his 11th stint as the top-ranked ODI batter, with his first spell at No. 1 dating back to October 2013.
Kohli's rise was underpinned by a composed 93 off 91 balls against New Zealand in Vadodara, an innings that guided India to a four-wicket victory.
He has been in excellent form throughout the series, continuing a run that has seen him post five 50-plus scores in his last six international matches.
Since the Australia series, his returns have included scores of 74, 135, 102 and 65, alongside centuries against South Africa and in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The consistency has been widely described as a resurgence, much to the delight of supporters in Pune and beyond.
The ranking update, however, was not without controversy. The ICC issued a correction after fans highlighted a miscalculation in Kohli's career statistics on social media.
Initial graphics claimed he had spent 825 days at No. 1, placing him 10th on the all-time list. Following backlash, the ICC deleted the post and revised its statement, confirming the correct figure of 1,547 days.
That total now ranks Kohli third all-time, behind only Vivian Richards (2,306 days) and Brian Lara (2,079), and makes him the highest-ranked Indian in this category.
The ICC has warned the Pakistan Cricket Board of "long-term implications for cricket in its own country" if the national team boycott's the game against India at the T20 World Cup.
Kusal Mendis' calm, unbeaten 93 set the platform as Sri Lanka beat England by 19 runs in the first one-day international in Colombo on Thursday, punishing another late collapse from the tourists.
England were forced into a late change ahead of the opening ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo after off-spin-bowling allrounder Will Jacks was ruled out having fallen ill overnight.
New Zealand secured a thrilling 41-run victory to win the final match of the series and mark their first-ever ODI series win in India in Indore on Sunday.
