16 Sep 2025 : India’s star opener Smriti Mandhana has reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI rankings for women batters, reaffirming her status as one of the finest cricketers in the world.
Mandhana Back on Top
The 29-year-old left-hander overtook Australia’s Alyssa Healy and England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt following her string of consistent performances in the recent bilateral series and multi-nation tournaments. This marks her return to the top after several months, underscoring her consistency and resilience.
Mandhana’s match-winning knocks in India’s ODI series against South Africa and her strong outings in the Asia Cup have been instrumental in her rise. Her ability to anchor innings and accelerate when required has made her India’s most reliable batter in limited-overs cricket.
Ranking Highlights
- Mandhana is now No. 1 in ICC Women’s ODI batting rankings.
- England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt and Australia’s Alyssa Healy trail her in second and third place respectively.
- India’s Harmanpreet Kaur also climbed up a spot to enter the top 10 rankings.
Recognition for Consistency
Mandhana has been India’s batting mainstay for nearly a decade since her international debut in 2013. Known for her elegant stroke play and calm demeanor at the crease, she has scored heavily in both home and away conditions.
Her rise to the top spot reflects her adaptability against quality bowling attacks, particularly in pressure situations. In the last 12 months, she has averaged over 50 in ODIs, with multiple half-centuries and two centuries to her name.
ICC Statement
The International Cricket Council (ICC) in its weekly update praised Mandhana’s consistency and noted that her form has been critical in India’s recent ODI success.
“Smriti Mandhana’s remarkable consistency and ability to deliver match-winning performances have propelled her back to the No. 1 spot in the women’s ODI batting rankings,” the ICC said in a statement.
A Boost for Indian Women’s Cricket
This achievement is also significant for Indian women’s cricket, which has seen a surge in popularity following the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and India’s competitive performances on the world stage. Mandhana, who also captains the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the WPL, continues to inspire the next generation of players.
Looking Ahead
With the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 scheduled in India, Mandhana’s form will be crucial to the team’s campaign. Experts believe her return to the No. 1 ranking will give the team a psychological edge ahead of the mega tournament.
Cricket fans and former players took to social media to congratulate her, calling it a “well-deserved recognition” of her hard work and determination.
Summary:
India’s Smriti Mandhana reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC Women’s ODI batting rankings, overtaking Alyssa Healy and Nat Sciver-Brunt after consistent match-winning performances, boosting India’s confidence ahead of the 2025 ODI World Cup.