Ahead of the impending Women’s Asia Cup, Indian cricket fans have reason to celebrate as several key players have made significant leaps in the ICC players’ rankings. Notably, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and opener Shafali Verma are amongst the prominent names climbing up in the batters’ chart, underscoring their stellar performances and promising form going into the tournament.
The recent three-match T20I series against South Africa offered a glimpse of the Indian team’s growing prowess, despite the second match being washed out due to rain. India’s performance was commendable, managing to draw the series 1-1. Shafali Verma’s contributions with the bat were notable, including a 27-run knock and an 18-run outing in the two games. This marked improvement saw her surge two places up in the ICC batters’ rankings, landing her in the 15th position with a total of 605 rating points.
Harmanpreet Kaur, the dynamic Indian captain, also saw a significant boost in her rankings. Her 35-run performance in one of the games propelled her three places up in the rankings, bringing her to the 12th spot with 613 rating points. These individual achievements come as a collective morale boost to the team as they prepare to defend their championship title in the Women’s Asia Cup.
Smriti Mandhana, who emerged as India’s top scorer in the T20I series with an outstanding 100 runs, continues to hold strong in the rankings. Mandhana remains steadfast at her fifth position, building on her reputation as a consistent and reliable performer for the team.
The spin department did not fall behind either. Spinner Radha Yadav saw a tremendous ascent, jumping eight spots to claim the 15th position in the bowlers’ tally. Emerging talent Pooja Vastrakar also made a mark by climbing six spots, securing the 23rd position among bowlers. Another young bowler, Shreyanka Patil, experienced a breakthrough, moving up nine places to reach the 60th position.
It’s not just the Indian players who have been making headlines.
. On the global stage, Australia’s Beth Mooney stands dominant at the top of the batters’ chart with an impressive 769 rating points. Meanwhile, England’s Sophie Ecclestone continues to lead the bowlers’ chart with 781 rating points, setting the bar high for bowlers worldwide.
India’s campaign in the Women’s Asia Cup is set to kick off on July 19 in Sri Lanka. As the defending champions, India finds itself in Group A alongside formidable opponents such as Pakistan, UAE, and Nepal. The Women in Blue will commence their campaign against their arch-rivals, Pakistan, in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Following this high-octane clash against Pakistan, India will lock horns with the UAE team on July 21. Their final group stage match is scheduled for July 23 against Nepal, rounding off what is expected to be an intense round of cricket. All matches of the tournament are set to take place at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla, a venue known for its scenic beauty and conducive playing conditions.
India is fielding a strong squad for the tournament, blending experience with youthful exuberance. The squad comprises notable players such as Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Uma Chetry (wicketkeeper), Pooja Vastrakar, and more. The bowling attack features talents like Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, the rising Shreyanka Patil, and Sajana Sajeevan.
In addition to the main squad, India has also named travelling reserves to ensure depth and cover for any contingencies. These reserves include promising players like Shweta Sehrawat, Saika Ishaque, Tanuja Kanwer, and Meghna Singh.
As the Women’s Asia Cup draws near, the Indian team’s recent movements in the ICC rankings are a testament to their preparation and potential. With top players hitting their stride at the right moment, fans are hopeful that India will continue to shine on the international stage and successfully defend their title.
