India’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has ascended one spot to third in the latest ICC ODI rankings for women, released on Tuesday. With 738 rating points, Mandhana is the top-ranked Indian batter in the 50-over format, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur maintains her ninth position.
Sri Lanka’s star batter Chamari Athapaththu has slipped behind Mandhana to fourth place, but her compatriots Nilakshika de Silva (up three places to 32nd), Harshitha Samarawickrama (up eight places to 44th), and Kavisha Dilhari (up four places to 50th) have all made significant gains in the ODI batting rankings.
Mandhana also retained her fourth spot in the T20 rankings, with Sri Lanka’s Samarawickrama and Ireland opener Gaby Lewis reaching career highs. Samarawickrama’s impressive knock of 65 off 44 balls in the second T20I between Sri Lanka and Ireland propelled her up three places to 13th position, while Lewis’s match-winning 119 off 75 balls has lifted her four places to a career-best-equalling 21st position, which she had previously attained in July 2022.
Mandhana’s consistent performances in both ODI and T20 cricket have solidified her status as one of the world’s leading batters. Her ability to score runs at a rapid pace and her versatility in playing different roles in the team make her a valuable asset for India.
The rise of Sri Lankan batters in the rankings is a testament to the team’s recent resurgence in women’s cricket. Athapaththu, Samarawickrama, and de Silva have all played key roles in Sri Lanka’s recent victories over Ireland and Pakistan.
The ICC rankings are a reflection of the current form and performances of players and teams. Mandhana’s rise in the rankings is a recognition of her exceptional batting skills and her contribution to India’s success in women’s cricket.
