Historic No. 1: How Deepti Sharma Rewrote Indian Women’s Cricket History
Deepti Sharma has become the first Indian woman to top the ICC T20I bowlers’ rankings, edging Australia’s Annabel Sutherland by one point. Her rise reflects years of consistency and comes at a crucial time as India begins its road to the 2026 T20 World Cup.
What exactly has Deepti Sharma achieved?
Deepti Sharma has risen to World No. 1 in the ICC T20I bowlers’ rankings for the first time in her career. She now tops the chart with 737 rating points, edging past Australia’s Annabel Sutherland by just one point.
Which performance sealed the No. 1 ranking?
Her rise was powered by a disciplined spell of 1 for 20 in four overs against Sri Lanka in the opening T20I in Visakhapatnam. That performance earned her five crucial rating points and underlined the control and consistency that define her bowling.
Why is this moment historic for Indian women’s cricket?
This is the first time an Indian woman has topped the T20I bowlers’ rankings. It marks a significant milestone for India’s women’s team and comes at a pivotal moment as preparations begin for the 2026 T20 World Cup in England.
How tight is the race at the top?
Exceptionally tight. Deepti leads Annabel Sutherland by just one rating point, highlighting how competitive the elite tier of women’s T20I bowling has become. One strong or poor outing could reshuffle the rankings again.
Did other Indian players gain in the rankings?
Yes. Jemimah Rodrigues jumped five places to ninth in the T20I batting rankings after her unbeaten half-century against Sri Lanka. Arundhati Reddy also climbed five spots among T20I bowlers, reflecting India’s overall upward momentum.
What happened elsewhere in the ICC rankings?
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt reclaimed the No. 1 spot in ODI batting after scoring back-to-back centuries against Ireland, pushing India’s Smriti Mandhana to second place.
Why does Deepti’s rise matter tactically for India?
Deepti’s elevation strengthens India’s middle-overs control—a critical phase in T20 cricket. She is also just five wickets away from becoming the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20I history, adding another potential milestone to this series.
What does this mean for the ongoing India–Sri Lanka series?
With India already winning the first match by eight wickets, the series now becomes a platform for Deepti to consolidate her top ranking while India experiments with combinations ahead of bigger global challenges.
What’s next for Deepti Sharma?
Sustaining the No. 1 ranking will demand consistency across conditions and opponents. But if history is any guide, Deepti’s strength has always been endurance and relentless accuracy.
(yMedia is the agency partner for this story)