India’s star opener has reclaimed the top spot in women’s ODI cricket, as the latest rankings released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) place Smriti Mandhana at No. 1 in the batting charts.
Mandhana’s rise comes after a consistent showing in the recent ODI series against Australia, even though India suffered a 0-3 whitewash Down Under.
Smriti Mandhana Reclaims No. 1 Spot
Smriti Mandhana accumulated 790 rating points following steady knocks of 58 and 31 in the three-match ODI series in Australia. Her performances helped her leapfrog South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt, who now sits in second place with 782 points.
Despite the team’s overall defeat, Mandhana’s individual brilliance stood out, underlining her consistency at the top of the order.
Wolvaardt will have an opportunity to reclaim the No. 1 ranking during South Africa’s upcoming home ODI series against New Zealand scheduled for March–April.
Australia’s Presence Strong in Top Five
Australia continue to dominate the rankings landscape. Beth Mooney occupies the third position, while veteran wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy signed off her ODI career in style with a century in her final match, finishing fourth in the rankings.
All-rounder Ashleigh Gardner rounds out the top five, reinforcing Australia’s depth in women’s cricket.
Harmanpreet Kaur Climbs, Rodrigues Holds Steady
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur climbed to ninth place with 652 rating points, aided by fighting knocks of 53, 54, and 25 in the Australia series.
Meanwhile, Jemimah Rodrigues is placed 12th, reflecting the growing strength and depth of India’s batting unit in the 50-over format.
Alana King Tops Bowling Rankings
In the bowling department, Australia’s Alana King has risen to become the new world No. 1 ODI bowler, adding another accolade to Australia’s dominant run in women’s cricket.
Changing Trends in Women’s Cricket
The latest ICC rankings, compiled by PTI, highlight the evolving landscape of women’s cricket — where individual excellence continues to shine even amid team setbacks.
Mandhana’s return to the summit is a testament to her consistency and class, and a reminder that personal milestones can still emerge from challenging series.