In the latest shake-up of the international women’s cricket scene, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled its updated rankings, highlighting a significant shift in dominance. The Tuesday update reflects the high-octane performances from the ongoing multi-format series between Australia and India, along with crucial ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 matches. Two names have surged to the pinnacle of their respective categories, marking a new chapter for both Indian and Australian cricket as they solidify their status among the sport’s elite.
Smriti Mandhana and Alana King crowned No.1 in ICC Women’s ODI standings
India’s star opener Smriti Mandhana has reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings. With a current rating of 790, Mandhana’s steady form—highlighted by scores of 58 and 31 in the past week—was enough to edge past South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt. Mandhana’s return to the summit is a testament to her consistency at the top of the order, even as the Proteas captain looks to reclaim her position in upcoming fixtures against New Zealand later this March.
On the bowling front, Australia’s leg-spin sensation Alana King has achieved a career milestone by reaching the top of the charts. King (775 points) effectively ended Sophie Ecclestone’s nearly four-year reign as the world’s premier ODI bowler. Her ascent was fueled by a dominant week where she spearheaded the Australian attack, taking seven wickets at an average of 16.71. Her standout performance of 4/33 in the third ODI against India was instrumental in securing a massive 185-run victory for the hosts, further cementing her status as a big-match player.
Shifting tides and other rising stars in the rankings
Beyond the headline-makers, the charts saw substantial movement following the conclusion of various international series. The legendary Alyssa Healy bid a fairy-tale farewell to the ODI format, smashing a breathtaking 158 off 98 balls in her final match against India. The Australian captain signed off in fourth place (744) in the batting rankings, leaving a void that younger talents like Georgia Voll are already looking to fill. Voll herself saw a massive 23-spot jump to 34th after a stellar series average of 54.
- Australian dominance: Australia now boasts five bowlers in the top eight, including Ashleigh Gardner (3rd), Annabel Sutherland (5th), Megan Schutt (7th), and Kim Garth (8th).
- All-Rounder excellence: Gardner remains the undisputed queen of all-rounders with a rating of 516, sitting nearly 100 points clear of West Indies‘ Hayley Matthews.
- Indian resilience: Despite a series loss, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur re-entered the top 10 for batters, climbing four places to 9th following three consecutive scores of 25+.
Notable gains were also observed in the T20I rankings, where New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr broke into the top 10 (8th) following a strong showing against Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Fatima Sana continues her rise in the all-rounder category, moving up five places to 15th after showcasing her power-hitting prowess. As the 2026 season progresses, these rankings set a competitive stage for the upcoming international calendar.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
