Dubai, Jan 21: Indian opener Smriti Mandhana has moved closer to the top of the ICC women’s ODI batting rankings, now sitting in second place after an outstanding series against Ireland. Mandhana, the only Indian player in the top 10, made a remarkable 135 runs in the third ODI, as well as scoring 41 and 73 in the first and second matches, respectively.
The 28-year-old currently holds 738 points, trailing South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, who leads with 773 points, while Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu is in third with 733 points.
Jemimah Rodrigues, who achieved her first ODI century in the second match against Ireland, climbed two spots to 17th, whereas captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who was absent for the series, is ranked 15th.
In the all-rounders’ category, Deepti Sharma ranks sixth with 344 points, while Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner tops the list after impressive performances in the Ashes, where she accumulated four wickets and 146 runs.
In the bowling rankings, led by Sophie Ecclestone, Deepti improved her position to fourth with 680 rating points.
Gardner showcased her all-round skills, helping Australia secure victories in all three ODIs against England. She scored her first ODI century against England with a brisk 102 runs off just 102 balls in Hobart and had a standout performance in the opening ODI at North Sydney Oval, taking 3 wickets for 19 runs in 6.1 overs and scoring an unbeaten 42 runs to lead Australia to a strong start in the Ashes series.
Gardner has reached a career-high 469 rating points in the All-Rounder ODI Rankings, standing 25 points ahead of the next-best, Kapp, while also achieving a personal best of 648 rating points as a batter, gaining five places to break into the top 10. (Agencies)
