India's ODI skipper Mithali Raj has gained one spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) women's batters ranking to go second. The veteran Indian who will be part of the Indian team in the upcoming Women's World Cup in March is second only to Alyssa Healy of Australia. On the other hand, Jhulan Goswami has regained her second spot in the bowler's rankings while Deepti Sharma has climbed to fourth spot in the all-rounders' standings.
High expectations form Mithali
Mithali, 39, will be expected to produce a solid performance in the upcoming ODI World Cup. Before that, Team India will take part in a five-match ODI series against New Zealand. The experienced campaigner has 738 ranking points, 12 less than Alyssa. She surpassed Lizelle Lee of South Africa in the rankings.
Smriti Mandhana, ICC Women's Player of the Year, ranks sixth in the standings with 710 points. She along with Mithali remain the only Indian players in the top 10. Smriti had a remarkable 2021, where she beat competition from Tammy Beaumont and Gaby Lewis to claim the year-end award. The women's batters rankings contain four Australians, two Indians, two from England and one each from South Africa and New Zealand.
There were no changes in the women's bowlers department as Jess Jonassen of Australia continues to top the rankings with 760 ranking points. Jhulan remains the only Indian in the top 10 with 727 ranking points. The top 10 contain four England, three South African, two Australian players and one Indian player.
In the all-rounders department, Deepti, now has 299 ranking points, while Natalie Sciver of England tops the chart with 372 ranking points. The all-rounder ranking list contains three Australians, two from England, two from West Indies, two South African players and one Indian player.
The rankings might have a major overhaul in the coming days as women's teams prepare for the ODI World Cup. India play New Zealand in a five-match ODI series, while South Africa are playing host to West Indies in a four-match ODI series.
