Smriti Mandhana becomes World No.1 ODI Batswoman

Dubai: On Saturday, Smriti Mandhana has moved up three spots to achieve the number one rank in the updated ICC ODI batting rankings.

Mandhana is ahead of the Australians Ellyse Perry and Meg Lanning after scoring her fourth ODI century and an unbeaten 90 in the three-match series against New Zealand.

Since the beginning of 2018 Mandhana, who has been in exemplary form in the one-day format, has scored two 100s and eight 50s in 15 games.

Competing for the top five, Amy Satterthwaite New Zealand skipper, who smashed consecutive half-centuries in the series against India, rose up ten places to take the fourth position, while Indian skipper Mithali Raj has moved down a spot. 

Suzie Bates former New Zealand skipper has moved up one place to number six following her half-century in Hamilton, which pushed her side to victory in the third ODI played against India.

South Africa’s Lizelle Lee, Tammy Beaumont of England, Stafanie Taylor of West Indies and Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka completed the top 10 list.

Jemimah Rodrigues, Indian young player, who blazed an unbeaten 81 in the first ODI against New Zealand, flew up 64 places to take number 61 position in the rankings. The 18-year-old has played only seven ODIs from the time she made her debut in the month of March last year.

Among the bowlers, Indian spinners Poonam Yadav and Deepti Sharma moved ahead five places each and now hold number eight and nine respectively. Poonam took six wickets in the series which was played against New Zealand, while Deepti claimed four. Ekta Bisht is now placed at number 13 after taking five wickets in the series.

Jhulan Goswami celebrated pacewoman, whose 3/23 in the second game set up the series win against Kiwi-women pushed up one place to take number four position and is the highest-ranked Indian in the top five. Sana Mir of Pakistan, Megan Schutt of Australia and Marizanne Kapp of South Africa are ahead of Jhulan.

When it comes to the all-rounders' rankings, Ellyse Perry has retained the top position. New Zealand's Sophie Devine has moved up one spot to take the ninth spot, thereby pushed back West Indies' Deandra Dottin to 10th position.