The Sri Lankan women’s cricket team, under the leadership of Chamari Athapaththu, is currently hosting a thrilling Tri-Nation Women’s ODI series featuring India and South Africa. Kicking off the series, the Indian team, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, made a stunning entry with a commanding victory against the home side, Sri Lanka, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting tournament.
In the realm of women’s cricket, ranking updates are always closely watched, especially following key performances in exciting formats like this Tri-nation series. The ICC Women’s Batting Rankings saw some notable movements recently. West Indies’ captain Hayley Matthews has ascended to the 4th position with 687 points. Meanwhile, Australian stalwarts Alyssa Healy and Ellyse Perry have both made strides up the ladder, securing the 6th and 5th positions respectively.
For India, the rising star Pratika Rawal is making waves. At just 24, her journey has been nothing short of inspirational. Rawal’s impressive half-century in the Tri-series opener not only clinched her the Player of the Match award but also propelled her up the rankings by ten spots to 47th position. It’s a testament to her hard work and dedication on the field. Close on her heels, Harleen Deol contributed significantly with an unbeaten 48 runs, helping India secure the win and rising four spots to the 49th position. These performances reflect not just individual talent, but also the depth and potential of the Indian women’s cricket team.
Turning to Sri Lanka, veteran player Hasini Perera played a crucial role despite her team’s defeat, scoring a valuable 30 runs. This effort earned her a five-spot jump to the 72nd position in the rankings. Similarly, wicketkeeper Anushka Sanjeewani’s 22 runs have helped her climb 11 spots to 99th—showcasing the resilience of the Sri Lankan squad, who are determined to turn their fortunes around in this series.
The ICC Women’s Bowling Rankings also saw some changes, illustrating the competitive spirit among teams. Ireland’s Alana Dalzell has climbed to share the 83rd position with Zimbabwe’s Kelis Ndhlovu. South African bowlers are steadily making their mark as well, with Chloe Tryon rising to the 50th spot, while Tumi Sekhukhune and Masabata Klaas are not far behind.
On the Indian side, Arundhati Reddy has proven her mettle, earning a spot at 53rd after picking up a wicket in her opening spell against Sri Lanka. Titas Sadhu and Asha Sobhana have also seen minor boosts, reflecting the consistent efforts of the Indian bowling attack. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan bowler Achini Kulasuriya exhibited promise as she climbed to 58th.
Lastly, the ICC Women’s All-rounder Rankings highlighted the performance of Sri Lanka’s Inoka Ranaweera. Her disciplined bowling performance in the ODI Tri-nation opener earned her a spot in the rankings, showcasing the diverse skill set emerging from the team.
The series continues to bring a vibrant blend of competition and excitement to women’s cricket, as players from diverse backgrounds strive for excellence in this beautifully evolving sport. As fans, we can’t wait to see how the teams adapt and grow with each match, creating not just athletes, but inspiring stories that resonate on and off the field.
Image Source: Pratika Rawal @ Instagram
