Smriti Mandhana Returns to Top of Women's ODI Batting Rankings

Mandhana Reclaims Number One Spot

Dubai, June 17: Smriti Mandhana, the Indian cricket star, has regained her position as the top-ranked batter in the women's ODI rankings for the first time since November 2019, as per the latest update from the International Cricket Council (ICC) released on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old athlete moved up one rank after South Africa's captain, Laura Wolvaardt, dropped to a tie for second place with England's new captain, Nat Siver-Brunt, following their performances of 27 and 28 runs in the initial two ODIs against the West Indies.

Mandhana now holds 727 rating points, comfortably surpassing Wolvaardt, who had maintained her lead for over six months. The Indian batter has been in remarkable form, recently scoring her 11th career century during the final of India's tri-series against Sri Lanka and South Africa in Colombo.

In the rankings, Wolvaardt's teammate, Tazmin Brits, climbed five spots to 27th after her half-century in the first match of the three-match series, which is currently tied after South Africa rebounded from an opening loss to win by 40 runs in the second match held in Barbados over the weekend.

Additionally, West Indies players Shemaine Campbelle (up seven spots to 62nd) and Qiana Joseph (up 12 spots to joint 67th) also made notable advancements in the ODI batting rankings.

In other updates, former South African captain Sune Luus scored 76 in the second match, moving up seven places to 42nd in the batting rankings and also rising seven slots to 42nd among bowlers. Meanwhile, Qiana Joseph's innings of 60 in their first match propelled her up 12 positions to joint-67th.

West Indies spinner Afy Fletcher achieved the most significant improvement among bowlers, claiming four wickets in the recent match against South Africa, which allowed her to rise four spots to 19th overall in the ODI bowlers' rankings, still led by England's Sophie Ecclestone.