Smriti Mandhana reclaims the No.1 spot in ICC Women’s ODI rankings after a brilliant 58-run knock against Australia, boosting India’s World Cup hopes.
Star Indian opener batter Smriti Mandhana regained her No.1 ranking in the current ICC ODI rankings for women batters, after a good half-century in India's first match against Australia. The rankings came out on Tuesday, providing the Indian star with an apt boost in confidence before the Women's Cricket World Cup begins on September 30.
In the opening ODI of the three-game series in Mullanpur, Mandhana hit a brisk 58 off 63 deliveries. Although her effort was in vain, Australia chased India's score with relative ease to take the series lead 1-0. The effort earned Mandhana seven rating points, enough to surpass England's Nat Sciver-Brunt, who fell to second in the table. Mandhana currently has 735 rating points, four more than Sciver-Brunt's 731.
This is Mandhana's second period of time spent at the top in 2025. She initially rose to the No.1 ODI batter ranking in 2019 and has continued to be one of India's most reliable performers since then. Her talent for playing long innings and taking the attack when needed continues to make her a vital asset to the Indian women's cricket team, particularly with the World Cup around the corner.
India's other top-order batsmen also improved their ranking in the latest rankings. Pratika Rawal, with 64 in the same game, moved four places to 42nd, and Harleen Deol climbed to 43rd after a well-crafted 54. These moves indicate the team's good individual effort despite losing to Australia.
India spinner Sneh Rana also gained five rungs to 13th in the bowling charts after picking a wicket in the first ODI. England spinner Sophie Ecclestone held on to being the No.1-ranked bowler. Such rankings indicate India's increasing depth in batting as well as bowling before the World Cup.
For Australia, Beth Mooney moved three rungs to fifth after her unbeaten 77, while Annabel Sutherland (four rungs) and Phoebe Litchfield (13 rungs) occupied the 25th position after scoring half-centuries. The bowling performance of the Australians also improved, with Kim Garth and Alana King reaching fourth and fifth positions in the ODI bowling chart, which are career-best.
