Deepti Sharma Climbs To 2nd In ICC Rankings, Inches Closer To Top Spot
Indian spinner Deepti Sharma is on the cusp of history as she rises to No. 2 in the ICC Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings, just eight rating points shy of overtaking Pakistan’s Sadia Iqbal for the top spot. This marks a significant moment in Deepti’s consistent international career, which has seen her hover among the top 10 for the past six years but never reach the coveted No. 1 position — until now, potentially.
The 27-year-old’s ascent comes after a match-winning three-wicket haul against England in the third T20I of the five-match series. If she maintains her stellar form in the remaining games, she could soon become the first Indian bowler since Poonam Yadav to top the ICC Women’s T20I bowling chart.
ICC Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings (Top 3)
| Rank | Player | Country | Rating Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sadia Iqbal | Pakistan | 737 |
| 2 | Deepti Sharma | India | 729 |
| 3 | Annabel Sutherland | Australia | 721 |
Other Indian Performers on the Rise
It’s not just Deepti who is gaining ground in the rankings:
- Arundhati Reddy jumped 11 spots to joint 43rd after her 3/21 performance against England.
- Jemimah Rodrigues moved up two spots to 12th among T20I batters after a fluent half-century in Bristol.
Notable Movers – England and Australia
While India celebrates, England and Australia also made their mark in the latest rankings update:
- Lauren Filer soared 21 places to 68th among bowlers.
- Issy Wong climbed to joint 57th after strong bowling displays.
- Lauren Bell continues her dominance, remaining at No. 4 among T20I bowlers.
Batting Rankings Highlights:
- Beth Mooney (Australia) retains the No. 1 batter ranking.
- Danni Wyatt-Hodge moves up three places to 14th, following her 137-run opening stand with Sophia Dunkley, who also climbed four spots to 26th.
- These efforts came after their commanding performance at The Oval, which helped England notch a strong win.
All-Rounder Rankings
In the all-rounders’ list, England’s Sophie Ecclestone advanced three positions to 8th following her career-best 35-run innings in Bristol, showcasing her evolving impact beyond just spin bowling.
What’s Next for Deepti?
With two more T20Is left in the series against England, Deepti Sharma has a golden opportunity to make history and claim the No.1 bowler spot in Women’s T20Is. A couple of strong outings with the ball could seal her rise — an achievement that would underscore her importance not just to India, but to the global women’s game.
