de Villiers displaces Dhoni as No. 1 ODI batsman

South African batsman AB de Villiers has displaced India's captain MS Dhoni as the top ODI batsman according to the latest ICC ratings. de Villiers, who averages 43.56 in 101 ODIs, had a prolific season that took him to 805 points in the ratings, nine clear of Dhoni. Michael Hussey, the Australian batsman, was third on the list with 792 points.

de Villiers amassed 667 runs in his last 10 ODIs, which included four centuries and two fifties against top opposition. Three of those centuries came in consecutive games, in Gwalior, Ahmedabad and Antigua. Though de Villiers did not play in August, Dhoni's patchy form in the Sri Lanka triangular series, where he scored only 140 runs in five outings, led to the swap at the top.

"My ultimate aim is always to do well for the team and to help South Africa win trophies but it is nice to be acknowledged in this way," de Villiers said. "Two years ago I said I wanted to be the best batsman in the world and it is pleasing to see that I am starting to get results." He is also keen to move up from his No. 11 position in the Test ratings.

de Villiers had ankle surgery during the off-season and was to continue his rehabilitation during a conditioning camp with the senior team. "It [the ankle] is coming on nicely and I can't wait to pick up my cricket bat again."

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara was at the top of the Test batting table with 874 points, 15 ahead of Virender Sehwag. Dale Steyn and Daniel Vettori maintained their respective positions at the head of the Test and ODI bowling charts, while Jacques Kallis and Shahid Afridi remained the top allrounders in the two formats.