Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma has reached a major milestone by moving to the top of the International Cricket Council Women’s T20I bowling rankings for the first time in her career. Opener Smriti Mandhana dropped to second place in the ODI batting list as Laura Wolvaardt moved back to the No. 1 position.
Deepti bowled an economical spell against Sri Lanka in the opening T20I at Visakhapatnam on Sunday, December 21. She conceded just 20 runs in four overs and dismissed Hasini Perera as the hosts restricted Sri Lanka to 121. India chased the target comfortably, winning by eight wickets with 5.2 overs to spare.
Deepti Sharma Becomes World No. 1 in ICC Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings
Deepti Sharma reached the top of the ICC Women’s T20I bowling rankings for the first time in her career. She surpassed Australian cricketer Annabel Sutherland, with Sharma on 737 rating points, while Sutherland sits second with 736 points.
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Indian seamer Arundhati Reddy climbed five places to 36th following the Sri Lanka match. There was movement in the batting rankings as well, with Jemimah Rodrigues making the biggest gain among Indian batters.
Jemimah moved up five places to ninth after her unbeaten half-century against Sri Lanka. India now have three players in the T20I batting top 10, with Smriti Mandhana placed third and Shafali Verma ranked 10th.
Latest ICC Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings – Top 10:
| Position | Player | Team | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deepti Sharma | India | 737 |
| 2 | Annabel Sutherland | Australia | 736 |
| 3 | Sadia Iqbal | Pakistan | 732 |
| 4 | Sophie Ecclestone | England | 727 |
| 5 | Lauren Bell | England | 714 |
| 6 | Nonkululeko Mlaba | South Africa | 705 |
| 7 | Georgia Wareham | Australia | 704 |
| 7 | Charlie Dean | England | 704 |
| 9 | Afy Fletcher | West Indies | 702 |
| 10 | Nashra Sandhu | Pakistan | 700 |
Laura Wolvaardt Reclaims No.1 Spot in ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings
Laura Wolvaardt reclaimed the top position in the ICC Women’s ODI batting rankings after a home series against Ireland. She scored consecutive centuries in the final two matches. Wolvaardt has 820 rating points and moved ahead of Smriti Mandhana, who slipped to second, nine points behind.
Wolvaardt helped South Africa secure a 3-0 series sweep and reached a career-best rating. South Africa cricketer Sune Luus jumped seven places to 34th among ODI batters and climbed 11 spots to 22nd on the all-rounders’ list after contributing with both bat and ball.
Ireland players also made gains. Arlene Kelly moved up five places to 27th in the ODI bowling rankings, while batters Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter rose to 18th and 28th, respectively.
Latest ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings – Top 10:
| Position | Player | Team | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laura Wolvaardt | South Africa | 820 |
| 2 | Smriti Mandhana | India | 811 |
| 3 | Ashleigh Gardner | Australia | 738 |
| 4 | Nat Sciver-Brunt | England | 714 |
| 5 | Beth Mooney | Australia | 700 |
| 6 | Alyssa Healy | Australia | 688 |
| 7 | Sophie Devine | New Zealand | 669 |
| 7 | Ellyse Perry | Australia | 669 |
| 9 | Hayley Matthews | West Indies | 663 |
| 10 | Jemimah Rodrigues | India | 658 |
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