Is Deepti the New No. 1 T20I Bowler and Has Wolvaardt Ousted Mandhana as the Top ODI Batter?
Synopsis
In an exciting update from the ICC Women's Player Rankings, India's Deepti Sharma has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the number one T20I bowler, while South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt has dethroned Smriti Mandhana as the premier ODI batter. This article delves into their remarkable performances and the implications on women's cricket.
Key Takeaways
Deepti Sharma becomes the first Indian woman to reach the top of T20I bowling.
Laura Wolvaardt regains her position as the number one ODI batter.
Significant improvements seen in rankings for Indian players.
Women's cricket continues to gain visibility and competitiveness.
Exciting future ahead for these talented athletes in international cricket.
Dubai, Dec 23 (NationPress) Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma and South African captain Laura Wolvaardt have made significant strides, achieving the top rankings in the latest ICC Women's Player Rankings.
For the first time in her career, Deepti has claimed the number one spot among T20I bowlers following her impressive display in the initial match of India’s T20I series against Sri Lanka at home. In a similar vein, Wolvaardt has regained the number one position in the ODI batters list, previously held by Indian star Smriti Mandhana, after the conclusion of South Africa’s ODI series against Ireland.
Annabel Sutherland of Australia had maintained the top T20I bowler position since August, but Deepti’s recent figures of 1-20 from four overs against Sri Lanka in Vizag pushed her to the forefront of the rankings.
Post India’s eight-wicket victory, Deepti secured five rating points, allowing her to establish a slim one-point lead over her Australian competitor at the pinnacle of the T20I bowling rankings.
Teammate Arundhati Reddy also saw improvement, climbing five spots to 36th among T20I bowlers after the Sri Lanka match. Additionally, Jemimah Rodrigues made significant progress, becoming the biggest mover on the latest T20I batter list, soaring five spots to ninth place overall.
Rodrigues contributed a stellar unbeaten half-century, earning the Player of the Match award against Sri Lanka and joining fellow Indians Mandhana (third) and Shafali Verma (10th) in the top 10 of T20I batters.
Mandhana, however, has slipped to second in the latest ODI batter rankings as Wolvaardt reclaimed her top position after an outstanding century in the final match of South Africa's three-match series against Ireland.
Wolvaardt’s consecutive centuries secured a 3-0 series victory for the Proteas and elevated her to a career-high rating, surpassing Mandhana at the top.
South Africa's Sune Luus also advanced, climbing seven spots to 34th among ODI batters and improving 11 positions to 22nd in the ODI all-rounders rankings due to her performances against Ireland.
On the other hand, Ireland benefitted from Arlene Kelly moving up five spots to 27th in the ODI bowler rankings, while teammate Gaby Lewis advanced four places to 18th and Amy Hunter climbed three spots to 28th, reflecting notable progress in the ODI batting rankings.
Point of View
I believe this significant achievement by Deepti Sharma and Laura Wolvaardt showcases the evolving landscape of women's cricket, emphasizing the growing competition and talent in the sport. Their performances not only inspire young athletes but also elevate the visibility of women's cricket on a global stage.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new number one T20I bowler?
Deepti Sharma from India has recently been crowned the number one T20I bowler.
Who has taken the top ODI batter position?
Laura Wolvaardt from South Africa has dethroned Smriti Mandhana to become the top ODI batter.
What performances led to these rankings?
Deepti's impressive bowling against Sri Lanka and Wolvaardt’s centuries against Ireland were pivotal in their rise to the top.
How has the rankings changed for other players?
Arundhati Reddy climbed to 36th among T20I bowlers, while Jemimah Rodrigues rose to 9th among T20I batters.
What does this mean for women’s cricket?
These changes reflect the increasing competitiveness and talent in women’s cricket, enhancing its popularity worldwide.
