Post by : Maya Rahman

Ace Indian batter Smriti Mandhana has achieved another major milestone in her cricket career by becoming the world’s No.1 batter in women’s ODIs. Her consistent performance during the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 has earned her a career-best rating of 828 points. Mandhana’s recent scores — a brilliant 109 against New Zealand and an unbeaten 34 against Bangladesh — played a key role in her rise to the top.

Mandhana’s performance in the home World Cup has been nothing short of exceptional. Her composed batting, ability to build partnerships, and aggressive shot selection have made her one of the most dependable batters in world cricket. India’s strong showing in the tournament has also reflected her leadership and form. Her innings against New Zealand stood out for its control and confidence, helping India secure a crucial win.

With a total of 828 rating points, Mandhana now holds a nearly 100-point lead over her nearest rival, Australia’s Ash Gardner, who sits at second place with 731 points. Gardner’s unbeaten century against England helped her climb six places in the rankings, but she remains well behind Mandhana’s commanding lead. South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt follows closely, entering the top three after rising two spots, thanks to her consistent scores of 90 and 31 in recent matches.

Smriti Mandhana’s rise to the No.1 position comes as no surprise to fans and experts. In September, she was named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for her impressive performances during the ODI series against Australia. Her dominance has been steady across formats, and this recognition in the ICC rankings further establishes her as one of the best players in the modern game.

Several other players also made significant moves in the latest ICC rankings. England’s Amy Jones climbed four spots to break into the top 10, now ranked ninth with 656 points. Australia’s Annabel Sutherland made the biggest leap among the top 40 batters, climbing 16 places to reach 16th with a rating of 613. India’s young opener Pratika Rawal, who unfortunately was ruled out of the World Cup due to injury, also made progress and now stands at 27th place with 564 points.

Spin bowlers have made their mark in this World Cup, and the rankings highlight their dominance. England’s Sophie Ecclestone continues to lead the women’s ODI bowling rankings with a rating of 747. Australia’s Alana King, who took a stunning seven-wicket haul against South Africa, climbed five spots to second with a career-best rating of 698. Her teammate Ash Gardner dropped one place to third with 689 points.

Pakistan’s Nashra Sandhu has entered the top 10, sharing the spot with South Africa’s Nonkululeko Mlaba, both holding ratings of 610. South African pacer Marizanne Kapp and Australia’s Annabel Sutherland each moved up one place, now ranked fourth and seventh respectively. England’s Linsey Smith was the most improved bowler overall, climbing an impressive 24 spots to reach 36th position with 444 points.

Despite slipping one spot in the bowling rankings, Ash Gardner continues to dominate the all-rounder category. She remains the No.1 all-rounder in women’s ODIs with 503 points. South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp moved into second place with 422 points, overtaking West Indies’ Hayley Matthews. Annabel Sutherland’s consistent all-round performances helped her rise to fourth place, while Alana King entered the top 10, showcasing her growing influence across formats.

Smriti Mandhana’s rise to No.1 symbolizes more than personal success — it reflects India’s growing strength in women’s cricket. Her form and leadership have inspired younger players, while her partnerships with emerging stars like Pratika Rawal have given India a new attacking edge at the top. Mandhana’s achievement also highlights India’s ability to produce world-class talent capable of competing with the best globally.

As the ICC Women’s World Cup continues, all eyes remain on Mandhana to lead India towards the title. Her calmness under pressure, sharp cricketing mind, and consistent performances make her the backbone of the Indian batting lineup. With the team performing strongly and Mandhana in peak form, India will look to maintain their momentum and bring the World Cup trophy home.

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