Smriti Mandhana Returns to No. 1 in ICC Women's ODI Batting Rankings
Mandhana's Remarkable Comeback
Smriti Mandhana, the prominent Indian cricketer, has reclaimed the top position in the ICC Women's ODI Batting Rankings, marking her first return to this spot since 2019. The latest rankings update from the ICC, released on Tuesday, signifies the end of a six-year wait for the talented batter.
🚨 SMRITI MANDHANA BECOMES THE NUMBER 1 RANKED BATTER IN WOMEN'S ODI RANKING 🚨 pic.twitter.com/989yhtyuQ0
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 17, 2025
Mandhana's ascent to the top came at the expense of South Africa's captain, Laura Wolvaardt, who fell in the rankings after a disappointing performance against the West Indies, losing 19 rating points. Although Mandhana has consistently been a top contender, her return to the number one position is particularly significant after such a lengthy absence.
Recently, Mandhana showcased her exceptional skills during the tri-series final against Sri Lanka and South Africa in Colombo, where she scored a stunning century—the 11th of her ODI career. This performance was pivotal in boosting her rating and surpassing Wolvaardt, who managed scores of 27 and 28 in her last two outings.
Currently, Wolvaardt shares the second position with England's Nat Sciver-Brunt. Other notable changes in the batting rankings include South Africa's Tazmin Brits, who advanced five spots to 27th, and Sune Luus, who climbed seven places to 42nd.
Several players from the West Indies also made significant strides, with Shemaine Campbelle rising seven ranks to 62nd and Qiana Joseph improving by 12 ranks to 67th. In the bowling category, West Indies spinner Afy Fletcher was the standout performer, moving up four positions to 19th in the ODI bowler rankings after a four-wicket haul against South Africa.
Sophie Ecclestone from England continues to lead the bowling rankings, while South Africa's Nonkululeko Mlaba and Chloe Tryon also saw improvements. Mlaba climbed six spots to 23rd, and Tryon moved to 45th. Mlaba's all-round performance, which included a four-wicket haul, propelled her up by 11 places to 35th.
With the rankings shifting dramatically across all categories, Mandhana's return to the top spot is a testament to her skill and consistency, providing a much-needed boost for India as they prepare for upcoming international competitions.