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India’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has climbed back to the No. 1 position in the ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings, marking a major career milestone after a gap of nearly six years. With 727 rating points, Mandhana moved up one spot to overtake Laura Wolvaardt of South Africa and England’s captain Natalie Sciver-Brunt, both now tied at 719 points. This is the first time since 2019 that the Indian opener has topped the ODI rankings.

Wolvaardt’s recent performances scoring only 27 and 28 in the first two ODIs against the West Indies played a key role in shifting the balance. In contrast, Mandhana’s form has been impressive, especially her century in the final of India’s tri-series against Sri Lanka and South Africa in Colombo. That innings, her 11th career ODI hundred, pushed her past her closest rivals in the rankings.

Though Mandhana has consistently featured in the top 10 over the years, this return to the top ends a long wait and underlines her status as one of the world’s most dependable and elegant batters. She is also ranked No. 4 in the ICC T20I Batting Rankings, highlighting her strength across formats.

Other Indian players in the ODI batting rankings include Jemimah Rodrigues at 15th and captain Harmanpreet Kaur at 16th, showing the depth in India’s top order as they prepare for a crucial home series against England later this month. The two teams will face off in a five-match T20I series followed by three ODIs.

There have also been notable movements in the rankings beyond India. South Africa’s Tazmin Brits climbed five spots to 27th after a half-century in the first match of their ODI series against the West Indies. Her teammate Suné Luus, a former captain, moved up seven places to 42nd in both the batting and bowling charts after a 76-run knock in the second game.

From the West Indies, opener Qiana Joseph rose 12 places to a joint-67th position following her score of 60 in the opening ODI. Among bowlers, Afy Fletcher (West Indies) and Nonkululeko Mlaba (South Africa) made the biggest gains moving up to 19th and 23rd respectively after picking up four wickets each in the second match of the series held in Barbados.

Mandhana’s rise to the top is a significant moment for Indian women’s cricket. Her return as the world’s best ODI batter not only reflects her personal consistency and hunger for runs but also reinforces India’s growing influence in the global women’s cricket arena. As the team heads into a high-profile series against England, Mandhana’s form will be crucial to India’s success.