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The latest ICC Women's T20I and ODI rankings reveal significant movement among top players, highlighting impressive performances in recent series. Smriti Mandhana, the Indian vice-captain, continues her ascent, closing in on the coveted top spot in both formats. Her consistent high scores against the West Indies solidified her position as the second-ranked batter in both T20I and ODI cricket. In the T20I rankings, Mandhana's impressive 62 and 77 runs, adding to a string of half-centuries, propelled her to number two, trailing only Beth Mooney. Her ODI rating of 739 is a mere 34 points behind Laura Wolvaardt's leading score of 773, demonstrating her imminent threat to the top position. This sustained excellence across formats showcases Mandhana's dominance and consistent ability to deliver impactful performances under pressure.
Beyond Mandhana's stellar performance, other players experienced significant ranking shifts. Harmanpreet Kaur's contribution of 34 runs in an ODI against the West Indies was enough to propel her three places up the ODI rankings, securing a spot in the joint-10th position alongside Tammy Beaumont. This return to the top 10 underscores Kaur's continued relevance in international women's cricket despite the presence of younger, rising stars. The resurgence of Harmanpreet Kaur serves as a reminder of the experience and skill that seasoned players continue to bring to the table.
The rankings also highlighted impressive performances from other players. Hayley Matthews, the West Indies batter, showcased her talent with scores of 85* and 22 in T20Is, earning her a two-spot jump to equal third place alongside Tahlia McGrath. Alyssa Healy's contributions of 39 and 34 runs against New Zealand helped her climb two spots to eighth place in the ODI rankings. Annabel Sutherland’s exceptional performance, which includes a remarkable 105 not out and 42, resulted in an 11-spot jump to 18th place in the batting rankings. Further adding to her impressive contribution, Sutherland's 3/39 in the third ODI propelled her two places up the all-rounder rankings to seventh place. Her consistent display across both batting and bowling solidified her place as one of the emerging all-round talents in international cricket.
The bowling rankings also saw notable changes, primarily in the lower half of the top 20. India's Renuka Singh’s outstanding performance, highlighted by a stunning 5 for 29 in the Vadodara ODI, pushed her six spots higher to 20th place. Australia also saw several bowlers rise in the ranks: Alana King moved up two spots to 12th, Kim Garth gained four spots to reach 13th, and Sutherland's impressive all-around performance secured her a three-spot jump to 17th in the bowling rankings. New Zealand's Melie Kerr also made a notable advancement, moving to 11th place with 572 points. These changes showcase the increasingly competitive nature of international women’s cricket, with promising talent constantly challenging the established players.
The overall shifts in the ICC Women's rankings emphasize the intense competition and rapidly evolving landscape of women's international cricket. The consistent high scores and impactful performances highlighted in this latest update indicate a new generation of exceptionally talented cricketers emerging on the global stage. As these players continue their impressive journeys, we can expect further shifts in the rankings and a thrilling display of skill and determination in the upcoming matches.
Source: ICC Women’s Rankings: Mandhana closes in on top spot, Harmanpreet back in top 10