Harmanpreet Kaur climbs two spots up, Smriti Mandhana loses top position in ICC Women’s ODI Rankings

Harmanpreet Kaur has moved up two places while Smriti Mandhana has lost her top spot in the latest ICC Women's ODI batting rankings. The former India captain has moved to eighth, while the current skipper, Mandhana, has lost the number-one position to South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt. The update, released on 27 October 2026, reflects strong individual performances by Indian players in the ongoing ODI series against Zimbabwe and a lean start for Mandhana. 

Kaur’s rise follows her century in the second ODI against Zimbabwe, where she scored 126 off 121 balls. All-rounder Deepti Sharma also struck a hundred, making 106 off 86 deliveries in the same match. Their efforts helped India secure an unassailable lead in the three-match series. Mandhana, on the other hand, managed only 32 in the first ODI and was dismissed for a duck in the second, costing her the top ranking she had held.

Harmanpreet Kaur climbs two spots up, Smriti Mandhana loses top position in ICC Women’s ODI Rankings 

Wolvaardt has reclaimed the number-one spot for the first time since November 2025. This marks her ninth separate stint as the world’s leading ODI batter, a position she first reached in March 2022. The South African captain’s consistent form has once again propelled her ahead of the Indian opener. The rankings update underscores the depth in India’s batting line-up even as the captaincy transition continues. 

Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down as captain after leading the side to a second successive Asian Games gold medal. Mandhana has since taken over leadership duties, but recent results have shown that form can shift rankings quickly in women’s international cricket. Deepti emerged as one of the biggest movers as she climbed four places to 23rd among batters, rose two spots to fourth in the all-rounders’ rankings, and gained one position to eighth among bowlers. Her five wickets across the two matches against Zimbabwe, combined with the century, highlighted her value as a complete all-rounder. 

Other players to make progress in rankings 

Young batter Pratika Rawal also made significant progress, jumping seven places to a career-best 21st in the ODI batting list. She scored her third ODI century, a 96-ball 100 in the opening match against Zimbabwe, followed by 61 in the second game. Her 598-point rating is a personal high. Shafali Verma climbed 15 places to 73rd among ODI batters, while pacer Kranti Gaud moved up two spots to 25th in the bowling rankings after taking 3 for 43 in the first ODI. 

Zimbabwe players also benefited from the series, with Modester Mupachikwa rising five places to 39th, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano climbing four spots to 47th, and Beloved Biza jumping 16 places to 56th in the batting rankings. In the T20I rankings, which were updated alongside the ODI list, Shafali Verma moved up one place to third among batters, while Mandhana gained one spot to fourth. The series against Zimbabwe has served as useful preparation and an opportunity for several Indian players to boost their standings. India’s victory in the second ODI, sealed by the centuries from Kaur and Sharma, demonstrated the side’s batting strength beyond the top order. 

Mandhana’s early struggles in the series, however, opened the door for Wolvaardt to reclaim the top position. Harmanpreet’s return to form is particularly notable. After a period of inconsistency, her century against Zimbabwe has restored her place among the top ten ODI batters in the world. At a time when the Indian team is building under new leadership, the former captain’s contribution with the bat provides both experience and firepower in the middle order. The ICC rankings system rewards recent performances, and the latest update clearly reflects the impact of the India-Zimbabwe series. 

While Mandhana will look to regain the number-one ranking with improved scores in the remaining matches or future series, Kaur’s climb and the gains made by Deepti Sharma and Pratika Rawal offer positive signs for Indian women’s cricket. As the series concludes and attention turns to upcoming international assignments, these ranking movements will be closely watched. Consistency remains key in maintaining or improving positions on the ICC tables. For now, Laura Wolvaardt sits atop the ODI batting rankings, Harmanpreet occupies eighth place, and several Indian players have used the Zimbabwe series to strengthen their individual standings. 

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