Top India batter reclaims No.1 ranking on eve of World Cup

1
India batter Smriti Mandhana has reclaimed her mantle as the premier ODI batter after she moved back to the No.1 spot on the latest ICC Women's ODI Batting Rankings.

Mandhana overtakes England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt at the top of the batter rankings on the back of her half-century against Australia in the opening match of their ODI series in New Chandigarh where she contributed an impressive innings of 58 at the top of the order.

It proved enough for Mandhana to gain seven rating points and move four points ahead of her England counterpart and reclaim the top position she had previously held during June and July this year.

Mandhana had also held the No.1 ODI batter ranking in 2019 and has now had two stints in the premier position in 2025 on the back of some new-found consistency just a fortnight out from the start of the 13th edition of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup.

Jhulan Goswami looks back at the growth of women's cricket in recent years | The ICC Review

India legend Jhulan Goswami reflects on the evolution of women's cricket.

There are also batting gains for Mandhana's Indian teammates in Pratika Rawal (up four spots to 42nd) and Harleen Deol (up five rungs to 43rd), while a trio of Australian players make good ground following their eight-wicket victory in the opening match of the series at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.

Experienced left-hander Beth Mooney rises three spots to fifth overall following her unbeaten innings of 77, while Annabel Sutherland (up four places) and Phoebe Litchfield (up 13 rungs) share 25th place following their own half-centuries from the same match.

It's no surprise there are gains for Australian players on the updated list of ODI bowlers, with pacer Kim Garth (up one spot to fourth) and spinner Alana King (up one place to fifth) both making ground and reaching new career-high ratings after they picked up a wicket each in the series opener against India.

India spinner Sneh Rana improves five rungs to move to 13th overall, with England spinner Sophie Ecclestone maintaining her place as the No.1 ranked bowler despite not having played across the last week.

Australia's Ash Gardner remains the No.1 ranked all-rounder, with teammates Annabel Sutherland (up one spot to sixth) and Ellyse Perry (up two rungs to 13th) making ground following decent efforts against India.

Click here to read article

Related Articles