Dubai: Smriti Mandhana retained her second position in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s T20I batting rankings, while India captain Harmanpreet Kaur moved up to 14th following consistent performances.
Mandhana continues to be India’s highest-ranked batter in the shortest format, maintaining her place among the elite performers in world cricket. Her steady form has ensured that she remains firmly in contention for the top spot.
Indian batters maintain strong presence
India’s batting unit continues to show stability in the rankings. Shafali Verma held on to her sixth position, securing a place within the top 10, while Jemimah Rodrigues remained just outside, retaining her joint 11th spot.
The consistency of India’s top-order batters highlights the team’s strength in T20 cricket, with multiple players featuring prominently in global rankings.
Harmanpreet’s rise to 14th marks a significant improvement and reflects her recent contributions with the bat. The skipper’s experience and ability to perform in crucial situations continue to add value to the Indian lineup.
Deepti leads bowling and all-rounder charts
Among bowlers, Deepti Sharma continued her upward trajectory, climbing one place to secure the third position in the T20I bowling rankings. The off-spin all-rounder also retained her No. 3 spot in the all-rounders’ category, underlining her all-round impact.
India pacer Renuka Singh Thakur held her sixth position, while Arundhati Reddy slipped slightly to 11th, just outside the top 10.
Global movements in rankings
The latest update also witnessed notable changes among international players. Australia’s rising opener Georgia Voll broke into the top 10 of the batting rankings for the first time, marking a significant milestone in her career.
New Zealand star Sophie Devine climbed to 18th after scoring two consecutive half-centuries against South Africa, showcasing her continued importance to the team.
Historic feat for Rwanda youngster
A major highlight of the rankings was the entry of Rwanda’s teenage sensation Fanny Utagushimaninde, who debuted at 66th position. She created history by becoming the first woman to score a century on T20I debut and the youngest player across men’s and women’s cricket to achieve the milestone.
Her achievement marks a significant moment for emerging cricket nations and reflects the growing global reach of the sport.
More notable gains across teams
South Africa’s promising all-rounder Annerie Dercksen made a big jump of 18 places to 55th after an unbeaten 55 in New Zealand. Australia veteran Ellyse Perry moved up to 20th, while West Indies’ Qiana Joseph climbed to 33rd.
Other players making progress included Maddy Green and Stafanie Taylor, reflecting strong performances across recent series.
In the bowling rankings, South Africa’s left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba entered the top 10, rising to ninth. Australia’s Georgia Wareham improved to 12th, while New Zealand pacer Jess Kerr reached a career-best 15th spot.
South Africa’s Ayabonga Khaka and Australia’s Kim Garth also registered notable gains in the latest update.
Conclusion
Smriti Mandhana’s consistency at the top and Harmanpreet Kaur’s rise in the rankings highlight India’s growing strength in women’s T20 cricket. With multiple players performing across departments, the team continues to maintain a strong presence on the global stage.
At the same time, emerging talents and shifting positions in the rankings underline the competitive nature of international women’s cricket, with new stars continuing to make their mark.