Cricket / Sree Charani Sets Record in ICC Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings

Dubai, Sep 29: India’s spin sensation Sree Charani has rewritten the record books, becoming the highest-rated bowler in ICC Women’s T20I history. The left-arm spinner surged to an unprecedented 817 rating points, eclipsing the long-standing mark of 806 set by Australia’s Megan Schutt in 2018.

Her rise to this milestone reflects not only her dominance as the world’s No. 1 T20I bowler but also her match-winning consistency at the Asian Games in Japan, where she spearheaded India’s gold-medal defence with remarkable spells.

Charani played a pivotal role in India’s successful campaign, helping the team defend its gold medal. At the Asia Cup earlier this year, she claimed 12 wickets, including a match-winning spell of 4/20 in the final against Sri Lanka, which India won by 72 runs to secure their eighth title.

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Her consistency carried into the Asian Games, where she produced her career-best figures of 4/10 against Japan in the group stage and added two crucial wickets in the gold-medal clash against Sri Lanka. India triumphed by 147 runs, lifting Charani’s rating to the record-breaking 817 points.

India’s bowling strength was further highlighted by Deepti Sharma, who climbed to second in the T20I Bowling Rankings with 754 points after taking three wickets in the Asian Games final. England’s Sophie Ecclestone follows in third place with 723 points.

On the batting front, Smriti Mandhana re-entered the top five of the ICC Women’s T20I Batting Rankings after her fluent 79 in the Asian Games final against Sri Lanka. Mandhana also continues to lead the ODI Batting Rankings with 790 points, ahead of South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt (782).

Elsewhere, the ongoing ODI series between Zimbabwe and the West Indies in Harare has triggered significant changes in the rankings. West Indies all-rounder Hayley Matthews rose three places to fourth in the ODI Batting Rankings with 711 points, just shy of her career-best 714.

Matthews’ surge came after her record-breaking 182 in the first ODI. Her teammate Realeanna Grimmond jumped 34 places to joint 102nd with 270 points.

Zimbabwe’s Nyasha Gwanzura made headlines with her best-ever bowling figures of 4/33 in the second ODI, climbing 52 places to 156th in the ODI Bowling Rankings.

Batter Modester Mupachikwa advanced 16 places to a career-best 40th after scores of 86 and 38, while Francisca Chipare rose 26 places to joint 123rd following consistent spells. West Indies bowlers Ashmini Munisar and Aaliyah Alleyne also improved, moving to joint 84th and 58th respectively.

In the all-rounder charts, Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner remains No. 1 in ODIs with 497 points, while Matthews tops the T20I all-rounder rankings with 502.

Australia’s Alana King leads the ODI Bowling Rankings with 753 points, and Beth Mooney reclaimed the top spot in T20I Batting with 785 points, edging past teammate Georgia Voll (779).

Charani’s record-breaking feat underscores India’s growing dominance in women’s cricket, with multiple players now occupying top positions across formats.

(IANS)