In a landmark achievement for Indian cricket, star all-rounder Deepti Sharma has ascended to the pinnacle of the ICC Women's T20I bowling rankings for the first time in her illustrious career. This historic feat was confirmed on December 23, 2025, following her performance in the ongoing series against Sri Lanka.
A Historic Rise to the Top
The decisive moment came during the first T20 International against Sri Lanka at the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on December 21. Sharma delivered a controlled spell, taking 1 wicket for 20 runs. This performance proved to be enough to unseat Australia's fast bowler Annabel Sutherland from the top spot. In a remarkably close contest, Sharma pipped Sutherland by a mere one rating point, securing the number one position with 737 points.
This achievement adds another prestigious feather to Sharma's cap, coming just one and a half months after she was a crucial member of India's ODI World Cup-winning squad. Her stellar year continues to build momentum, showcasing her status as one of the world's premier all-rounders.
A Year of Consistent Excellence
Deepti Sharma's rise to the top of the T20I rankings is the latest in a series of high points in 2025. Last month, she was at the center of a major bidding war at the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 auction. Entering with a base price of Rs 50 lakh, she was ultimately bought back by the UP Warriorz for a staggering Rs 3.2 crore. The Delhi Capitals had initially secured her for Rs 50 lakh, but the Warriorz utilized their Right-to-Match (RTM) card to reclaim the player, matching DC's final valuation.
Her dominance was also on full display during the ODI World Cup, where she emerged as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 22 scalps, playing an instrumental role in India's championship victory.
Other Notable Moves in ICC Rankings
The latest ICC update brought positive news for several other Indian players as well. Pacer Arundhati Reddy climbed five places to reach the 36th position in the T20I bowling rankings. Spinner Shree Charani made a significant leap, moving up 19 spots to 69th.
In the batting rankings, Jemimah Rodrigues was rewarded for her match-winning unbeaten knock of 69 off 44 balls in Visakhapatnam, which earned her the Player of the Match award. Rodrigues moved up five places to break into the top ten, now sitting at ninth. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana remains the top-ranked Indian batter, holding firm at third position, while Shefali Verma moved down one spot to tenth.
In a related development in the ODI rankings, South Africa's captain Laura Wolvaardt dethroned Smriti Mandhana to claim the No.1 batter spot. Wolvaardt's back-to-back centuries (124 and 100*) against Ireland propelled her to a career-best 820 rating points, opening a nine-point lead over the Indian opener.
Deepti Sharma's journey from Agra to the top of the world rankings stands as a testament to her skill, perseverance, and the growing stature of women's cricket in India. This new milestone solidifies her legacy as a trailblazer for the sport.
