India’s swashbuckling opener Shafali Verma has returned at the top of the ICC T20I Player Rankings after a stunning show in the first two games of the ongoing three-match series against South Africa in Lucknow. The big-hitter, who had earlier placed at the top for the first time after helping India reach the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup last year in Australia, has surpassed Australia’s Beth Mooney with two quickfire scores of 23 and 47 respectively.
Meanwhile, South Africa opener Lizelle Lee has jumped up to three slots to reach 11th position among T20I batters as well. However, she has lost her top spot in the ODI rankings as England’s Tammy Beaumont leapfrogged her. On the other hand, her teammate Laura Wolvaardt has moved up to five places to 24th after taking her side to a nail-biting win with an unbeaten 53 in the second match while captain Sune Luus placed at 38 after jumping up to five places as well.
Apart from Shafali Verma, all-rounder Deepti Sharma has jumped up four places to 40th place and the young Richa Ghosh has moved up to 59 places to 85th among T20I batters whereas young all-rounder Harleen Deol has gained in both batting (up 262 places to 99th) and bowling (up 76 places to 146th) department. Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad has also jumped up from 34th to 25th.
However, there are some notable changes in the ICC ODI Player Rankings too. After the series between India and South Africa, South Africa pacer Marizanne Kapp has jumped up from fourth to second among bowlers and leapfrogged West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor to second in the list of all-rounders, which is led by Australia all-rounder Elysse Perry.
On the other hand, Mignon du Preez has moved four slots to reach the 16th position after her stunning knock of 57 whereas young all-rounder Anne Bosch has gained in both the batting and bowling lists. She has moved upto 58 places to reach 70th among batters and five places to 85th among bowlers as well. Tumi Sukhukhune has moved to eight places to 37th now.
Meanwhile, India ODI captain Mithali Raj has moved up to one place to eighth from ninth after an unbeaten 79 whereas Priya Punia has jumped up to five places to 53rd as well. Spinner Gayakwad has moved up to eight places to 38th among bowlers as well.
Meanwhile, the 4-1 series win helped South Africa overtake England to the second position in the ICC ODI Team Rankings whereas India remained at the fourth place as well.