The ICC T20I rankings released by the ICC on Wednesday is a celebration of youth. Shafali Verma the young opener claims the top spot on the batting table whereas England spinner Sophie Ecclestone tops the bowling chart.
Shafali Verma Rises To The Top
Shafali Verma, highest run-scorer for India in this tournament replaced Suzie Bates at the top of the batting chart revealed by the International Cricket Council today. The 16-year old is the third-highest run-scorer in the ongoing World T20 and also the most run-getter for India. In four matches she has accumulated 162 runs at an average of 40.25 and an astonishing strike rate of 161. She moved up 19 places to claim the top with 761 points to her name. She is only the second Indian after the legendary Mithali Raj to achieve the No.1 rank in women’s T20I.
Verma replaced New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates at the top who had been the top spot holder in the rankings since 2018 October after replacing the West Indian superstar Stafanie Taylor. Smriti Mandhana moved down two places to be placed at sixth position. On the other hand, Jemimah Rodrigues is current at the ninth spot after falling two spots.
Sophie Ecclestone Claims The Best
Sophie Ecclestone, the young spinner from England became the only second English player to claim the top spot on the bowling table since Anya Shrubsole in April 2016. Ecclestone went on to dethrone Australia’s Megan Schutt with 50 wickets in 34 T20Is at an average of 15.38. The first England spinner at the top was Danni Hazell in August 2015.
In the bowling department, Indians have done pretty well. Poonam Yadav jumped four places to be ranked at eighth spot. Yadav is currently leading the wicket-takers list with nine wickets in four matches at an average of 9.88 in the ongoing tournament. , Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadhav are now placed at fifth and seventh place.
