Smriti Mandhana Reclaims Top Spot in ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings
India’s star opener Smriti Mandhana has returned to the number one position in the latest ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings, marking a major milestone in her stellar career. The 28-year-old southpaw rose one place to reclaim the top spot for the first time since November 2019, displacing South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt.
Mandhana now leads the chart with 727 rating points, pushing Wolvaardt—who had held the No. 1 position for over six months—to joint second with England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt, both sitting at 719 points. Wolvaardt’s scores of 27 and 28 in the first two ODIs against the West Indies contributed to her fall from the top.
Mandhana’s consistency and form have been key to her resurgence. Known for her elegant strokeplay and reliability at the top of the order, her return to No. 1 underlines her stature as one of the finest batters in world cricket.
Notable Rankings Movements:
- Tazmin Brits (South Africa): Jumped five spots to 27th after scoring a half-century in the first ODI against West Indies.
- Suné Luus (South Africa): Climbed seven places to 42nd among batters and also rose seven places in the bowlers’ list after scoring 76 in the second ODI.
- Qiana Joseph (West Indies): Gained 12 places to reach joint-67th following her score of 60 in the series opener.
- Afy Fletcher (West Indies): Moved up four places to 19th in the bowling rankings with a four-wicket haul.
- Nonkululeko Mlaba (South Africa): Rose six slots to 23rd after an impressive four-wicket performance in the second ODI.
The ongoing series between South Africa and the West Indies remains level after two matches, adding further excitement and opportunities for players to climb the rankings.
Mandhana’s rise to the summit is a timely boost for Indian women’s cricket, especially ahead of their upcoming fixtures and long-term ambitions toward global tournaments. Her return to No. 1 is not just a personal triumph, but also a symbol of India’s growing dominance in the women’s game.
With the form she’s in and the confidence she brings to the Indian top order, all eyes will be on Mandhana as she leads from the front in the coming months.
