India’s young left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma has climbed 53 places to 94th in the latest ICC Women’s ODI bowling rankings following her impressive performances against Zimbabwe. The 20-year-old collected nine wickets across the final two matches, including a maiden five-wicket haul, as India completed a 3-0 series sweep.
Vaishnavi’s rise to 267 rating points was the standout movement in an update that also rewarded Pratika Rawal, Shafali Verma, Sayali Satghare and Kranti Gaud. Several Zimbabwe players improved their rankings despite the visitors losing all three ODIs.
Led by Smriti Mandhana, India completed a clean sweep of both white-ball series against Zimbabwe, winning three T20Is and three ODIs. In the final ODI in Vadodara on October 28, the hosts secured an eight-wicket victory after dismissing Zimbabwe for 131.
Vaishnavi Sharma’s Nine Wickets Drive Rankings Surge
Vaishnavi emerged as one of India’s most effective bowlers during the ODI series, claiming four wickets in the second match before producing career-best figures of 5 for 39 in the third.
Her five-wicket haul came in just her third ODI appearance and earned her the Player of the Match award. The performance helped India restrict Zimbabwe to 131 and complete the series whitewash.
The nine wickets across two matches propelled Vaishnavi from 147th to 94th in the ICC Women’s ODI bowling rankings, giving her 267 rating points.
Her rapid progress represents an encouraging start to her international career and strengthens India’s left-arm spin options ahead of upcoming assignments.
Pratika Rawal and Shafali Verma Rise in Batting Rankings
India opener Pratika Rawal climbed three positions to 18th in the ODI batting rankings after registering three consecutive half-centuries against Zimbabwe. Rawal finished the series with an unbeaten 59 in the final ODI, anchoring India’s successful chase of 132. Her consistency at the top of the order was an important factor in the team’s dominant performance throughout the series.
Shafali Verma also made significant progress, rising eight places to joint 65th following an aggressive unbeaten 51 from just 26 deliveries in Vadodara. Her innings included six fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 196.15. Shafali shared an unbroken 74-run partnership with Rawal for the third wicket, accelerating the chase after India lost two early wickets.
Zimbabwe’s Modester Mupachikwa advanced three places to 36th after scoring 37 in the final ODI, while captain Josephine Nkomo moved up two positions to 49th.
Sayali Satghare and Kranti Gaud Make Bowling Gains
Vaishnavi was not the only Indian bowler to benefit from the series.
Sayali Satghare climbed 18 positions to 85th after delivering an economical spell of 2 for 11 from six overs in the final ODI. Her performance included 30 dot balls and helped India maintain pressure on Zimbabwe’s batting lineup.
Kranti Gaud moved up one place to 24th after claiming two wickets in the series finale, continuing her progress in the ODI bowling rankings.
Zimbabwe’s Nomvelo Sibanda also gained two places to reach 60th. She dismissed Yastika Bhatia with the first ball of India’s chase in Vadodara, although the early breakthrough was not enough to prevent another defeat.
Kranti Gaud Leads India’s All-Rounder Rankings Improvements
Gaud recorded India’s biggest improvement in the ODI all-rounder rankings, climbing five places to joint 28th with 127 rating points. She now shares that position with West Indies player Aaliyah Alleyne and Ireland’s Laura Delany.
Rawal advanced one position to joint 70th with 69 points, alongside New Zealand’s Bree Illing, while Shafali climbed ten places to 96th with 54 points.
The changes added to a positive rankings update for India, with several players improving their positions across different categories following the Zimbabwe series.
India Build Momentum Ahead of South Africa Tour
India’s six-match white-ball sweep provided encouraging signs ahead of their upcoming international commitments.
Vaishnavi’s nine wickets across two ODIs highlighted her wicket-taking potential, while Rawal’s three consecutive half-centuries brought consistency to the batting lineup. Shafali’s attacking contribution and the disciplined bowling of Satghare and Gaud further demonstrated the squad’s depth.
Zimbabwe struggled to match India’s overall performance, although individual contributions from Mupachikwa, Nkomo and Sibanda were reflected in the rankings.
India are scheduled to tour South Africa from December 9 to 30, 2026, for one Test, three ODIs and three T20Is. They are then set to host the inaugural ICC Women’s T20 Champions Trophy from February 14 to 28, 2027.
