Smriti Mandhana, India's star opener, has created waves in the international cricketing world after her record-breaking century against England in the first T20I of the ongoing five-match series. Her blistering knock of 112 runs off 62 balls not only led India to a resounding 97-run victory but also catapulted her to 3rd place in the ICC T20I rankings for women’s batters. With this performance, Mandhana has earned a career-best rating of 771 points, just three points behind West Indies’ Hayley Matthews, who is currently placed second.

The ICC women's T20I rankings update has brought renewed excitement to the cricketing community in India. Mandhana’s consistency, technique, and aggressive flair with the bat have once again reaffirmed her status as a top-tier cricketer on the global stage. Her powerful display has also brought her within striking distance of Australia’s Beth Mooney, who currently tops the list with 794 rating points. Given that there are still two matches remaining before the next rankings update, Smriti Mandhana has a strong chance of becoming the world’s number one T20I batter in the coming days.

A Historic Century and a Career-Best Rating

Mandhana's innings was a masterclass in T20 batting. Facing a quality English bowling attack, she displayed perfect timing, calculated aggression, and an ability to find boundaries under pressure. Her 112 off just 62 balls featured elegant drives, powerful sweeps, and fearless shots over the top.

With this, Smriti Mandhana not only secured a win for India but also created history by registering her maiden T20I century, a milestone she had been chasing for quite some time. This knock not only contributed to India’s total of 194 but also shattered previous records for highest individual scores in India-England women's T20Is.

The result? A career-best rating of 771 in the ICC women’s T20I rankings, putting her ahead of multiple top international batters and confirming her position as one of the world’s best.

Ranking Shifts: Shafali Verma and Harleen Deol

Mandhana wasn't the only Indian batter to benefit from the rankings update. Shafali Verma, who returned to the Indian squad after several months, jumped one spot to 12th, despite scoring only 20 runs off 22 balls. The young opener looked rusty on her return but her past performances and match participation helped her gain ground.

Meanwhile, Harleen Deol’s return to the T20I scene has been heartwarming and impactful. Having last featured in July 2023, Harleen played a gutsy knock of 43 off 23 balls, batting at number three. Her aggressive intent and composure under pressure impressed both fans and selectors, and it has helped her re-enter the ICC rankings at 86th position.

It’s a notable return for a player who had been completely out of the rankings list due to inactivity, and her strong start could signal a sustained presence in the Indian middle-order in upcoming fixtures.

Bowling Rankings: Lauren Bell Shines for England

While India dominated with the bat, England’s Lauren Bell emerged as the standout performer with the ball. Despite the heavy defeat, Bell picked up three crucial wickets for just 27 runs, showing discipline, swing, and control.

This performance has resulted in a two-place jump for Lauren Bell, taking her to 4th in the ICC T20I bowling rankings, overtaking India’s Renuka Thakur and fellow English pacer Sophie Ecclestone. She now holds 727 rating points, and is in close contention for the top spot, which is currently held by Pakistan’s Sadia Iqbal with 746 points.

Given her current form, Lauren Bell is well within reach of becoming the world’s number one T20I bowler if she continues to perform consistently in the remaining matches of the series.

Road Ahead for Mandhana and Team India

With India leading the five-match T20I series 1-0, Smriti Mandhana’s form will be crucial in shaping the rest of the contest against England. The southpaw is scheduled to appear in two more T20Is before the next ICC update, giving her a golden opportunity to surpass both Hayley Matthews and Beth Mooney to claim the coveted top spot in the batting rankings.

Mandhana’s hunger for runs, especially in high-profile series like this, will not only help her personal statistics but also boost India’s chances of a clean sweep. With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, this is the perfect momentum builder for the Indian side.

Moreover, players like Shafali Verma and Harleen Deol will be aiming to cement their positions in the squad, and performances in this series could influence future team selections. On the bowling front, Lauren Bell’s rise indicates that the English team also has emerging threats, making the remaining matches competitive and engaging.

ICC Rankings: Current Top Positions After Update

Women’s T20I Batting Rankings (Top 5):

1. Beth Mooney (Australia) – 794 points

2. Hayley Matthews (West Indies) – 774 points

3. Smriti Mandhana (India) – 771 points

4. Sophie Devine (New Zealand) – 755 points

5. Suzie Bates (New Zealand) – 744 points

Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings (Top 5):

1. Sadia Iqbal (Pakistan) – 746 points

2. Sophie Ecclestone (England) – 735 points

3. Renuka Thakur (India) – 728 points

4. Lauren Bell (England) – 727 points

5. Deepti Sharma (India) – 720 points

Final Thoughts

Smriti Mandhana’s rise to third place in the ICC T20I rankings, after scoring her first-ever T20I century, has added yet another remarkable chapter to her already illustrious cricketing career. With a career-best rating of 771 points, and only a few points separating her from the top spot, Mandhana has emerged as a strong contender to become the number one T20I batter in the world.

India’s victory over England not only marks a team milestone but also signals the arrival of a new phase of dominance in women’s cricket, where players like Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol, and Renuka Thakur are consistently making their presence felt.

As fans eagerly wait for the upcoming matches in the India-England series, all eyes will be on Smriti Mandhana’s bat, which may soon crown her the world’s best in T20Is. The latest ICC women's T20I rankings have set the stage for a thrilling race to the top, and India’s cricketing journey continues to rise with every match.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Anthem Biosciences, Chemkart India, Meta Infotech, Happy Square Outsourcing Services, Cryogenic OGS, Crizac, .

The Current active IPO are Silky Overseas, Vandan Foods, Pushpa Jewellers, Cedaar Textile, Marc Loire Fashions, Neetu Yoshi, Adcounty Media India.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.