Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana (Twitter)
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her deputy Smriti Mandhana have both climbed a spot each in the latest ICC ODI Rankings for women. As a result of the recent adjustment, the two Indian stars now find themselves within the top six of the standings.
Mandhana and Kaur last featured in an ODI for India during their away series against Bangladesh in July this year.
Mandhana, Kaur climb up in ICC rankings
Smriti Mandhana, Australian wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy and Harmanpreet Kaur all leapt above South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt to occupy number four, five and six positions in the latest ICC rankings, respectively.
Wolvaardt, previously ranked number four on the batting charts, lost three rungs to slip to number seven owing to a listless ODI series against Pakistan Women this month.
Mandhana and Harmanpreet, on the other hand, both scored crucial runs for India in their previous bilateral assignment against Bangladesh in July. While the star Indian opener returned with 106 runs in three innings, the ‘Women in Blue’ skipper listed 71 runs, including a sparkling half-century in Bangladesh.
All-rounder Deepti Sharma is the next highest-ranking Indian on the list. She went past South African batter Sune Luus to be placed at number 26 on the table.
England’s Natalie Sciver-Brunt and Australian heavyweight Beth Mooney continue to reign supreme as the top two ranked ODI batters. Sri Lankan veteran Chamari Athapaththu, at number three, also retained her position on the elite batting charts.
Both Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana can enhance their ranking status through the upcoming Asian Games 2023 in China. The two cricketers are set to lead the Indian women’s team at the multi-nation event, scheduled to commence this month.
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