Mandhana’s rise coincides with a historic week for Australian cricket, where leg-spinner Alana King claimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC Women’s ODI bowling rankings, ending Sophie Ecclestone’s near four-year reign
Indian opener Smriti Mandhana has once again demonstrated why she is one of the leading lights of women’s cricket, climbing to the top of the ICC Women’s ODI batting rankings in the latest update released on Tuesday. Mandhana’s remarkable consistency, combined with her ability to perform in high-pressure moments, has cemented her status among the sport’s elite.
Mandhana, who scored 58 and 31 in the three-match ODI series against Australia, overtook South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt, who currently has a rating of 790. Wolvaardt, however, will have the chance to reclaim her spot when the Proteas face New Zealand in ODIs across March and April. For Mandhana, this achievement is the culmination of sustained excellence, both for India and in domestic leagues, reflecting her evolution into a mature, commanding presence at the crease.
The series itself showcased Mandhana’s leadership and batting prowess. Despite India losing the ODI series to Australia, the opener’s contributions were a beacon of consistency. Scores of 53, 54, and 25 helped captain Harmanpreet Kaur return to the top 10 in batting, highlighting the depth of India’s batting lineup. Mandhana’s performances in the ODIs followed a stellar campaign in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), where she led the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second title.
In the WPL final, Mandhana’s 87-run knock, the highest individual score in a WPL final, coupled with a 165-run partnership with Georgia Voll, set a new benchmark for any wicket in a final. Her tally of 377 runs made her the tournament’s leading scorer and underscored her role as both captain and match-winner. Head coach Malolan Rangarajan praised her leadership, noting, “She has become even calmer, even clearer. With experience, you can see the moves she is making on the field. She was well informed, and she backed it up with the bat when it mattered most.”
Mandhana’s rise coincides with a historic week for Australian cricket, where leg-spinner Alana King claimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC Women’s ODI bowling rankings, ending Sophie Ecclestone’s near four-year reign. King, who took seven wickets across three ODIs including a 4/33 in the third match, joins a formidable Australian bowling lineup featuring Ash Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Megan Schutt, and Kim Garth.
For Mandhana, however, the focus remains on the bigger picture. Her exploits in domestic and international cricket are not only about personal accolades but also about preparing for major events like the T20 World Cup. “The WPL came at the right time to switch back into T20 cricket and fine-tune skills. Beyond skills, it also prepared us mentally,” she said, emphasizing how high-pressure situations in the league have strengthened her squad’s readiness.
As Mandhana continues to set benchmarks with her batting and leadership, she remains a symbol of India’s growing strength in women’s cricket—a player capable of delivering on the grandest stages and inspiring the next generation.
