Dubai, Dec 30 (UNI) India’s young batting sensation Shafali Verma’s resurgence received another significant boost as she moved closer to the top spot in the latest ICC Women’s T20I Batter Rankings.
According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), Shafali climbed four places to sixth in the updated rankings following a series of impressive performances during India’s ongoing home T20I series against Sri Lanka.
The 21-year-old, who first reached the summit of the T20I batter rankings in 2020 to become only the second Indian after Mithali Raj to achieve the feat, has rediscovered her best form in recent months.
Her revival began emphatically during last month’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final, where she produced a match-winning all-round display, scoring 87 runs and picking up two wickets to help India secure their maiden 50-over World Cup title.
Shafali has carried that momentum into the shortest format, producing a string of scintillating knocks against Sri Lanka.
The aggressive opener has already struck three half-centuries in the series to emerge as the leading run-scorer and now sits just 60 rating points behind Australia’s Beth Mooney, who continues to hold the top position in the T20I batter rankings.
India’s gains were not limited to the top order, with wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh also making notable progress. The 22-year-old jumped seven places to joint 20th after her unbeaten 40 in the fourth T20I against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram.
Indian bowlers also enjoyed an upward movement in the rankings. Renuka Singh, who marked her return to the T20I side with a four-wicket haul in the third match of the series, surged eight places to joint sixth in the latest T20I bowler rankings.
Left-arm spinner Shree Charani also made significant strides, climbing 17 places to 52nd overall after picking up four wickets in the first four matches of the series.
Meanwhile, Deepti Sharma retained her narrow lead at the top of the ICC Women’s T20I Bowler Rankings, underlining her consistency with the ball, while West Indies star Hayley Matthews continued to enjoy a comfortable cushion at the summit of the T20I all-rounder rankings.
Shafali Verma climbs ICC T20I rankings, nears top spot
