### Deepti Sharma Achieves Historic Milestone as New No. 1 T20I Bowler In a significant development in women's cricket, Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma has ascended to the top of the ICC Women's T20I bowling rankings for the first time in her career. This achievement comes on the heels of her impressive performance in the opening match of the T20I series against Sri Lanka, where she took 1 wicket for 20 runs. Concurrently, South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt has reclaimed the No. 1 position in the ODI batting rankings, dethroning India's Smriti Mandhana. These changes reflect the dynamic nature of the ICC Women's Player Rankings, influenced by recent performances in international matches against Sri Lanka and Ireland, respectively [https://www.newkerala.com/news/o/deepti-crowned-new-no-t20i-bowler-wolvaardt-dethrones-mandhana-499]. ### Overview of Recent Changes in ICC Women's Player Rankings 1. **Deepti Sharma's Rise to No. 1 T20I Bowler** - Deepti Sharma has reached the pinnacle of the ICC Women's T20I bowling rankings, marking a career milestone. - Her performance against Sri Lanka was pivotal in her ascent, allowing her to surpass Australia's Annabel Sutherland by a narrow margin of one rating point [https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/deepti-sharma-tops-icc-t20i-bowling-rankings-first-time-india-10435085]. 2. **Laura Wolvaardt's Return as No. 1 ODI Batter** - South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt has regained the top spot in the ODI batting rankings, previously held by Smriti Mandhana. - This shift highlights the competitive landscape of women's cricket, with players consistently vying for the top positions [https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/deepti-sharma-hits-career-high-as-t20i-no-1/20251223.htm]. 3. **Impact of Recent Series on Rankings** - The changes in rankings are a direct result of performances in recent series, particularly the T20I series against Sri Lanka and ODIs against Ireland. - Other players, including Jemimah Rodrigues, have also made notable gains in the rankings, indicating a broader trend of rising talent in women's cricket [https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/deepti-sharma-becomes-top-ranked-t20i-bowler-in-latest-icc-rankings]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Deepti Sharma's Performance Metrics:** - In the first T20I match against Sri Lanka, Deepti recorded figures of **1 wicket for 20 runs**, which was crucial for her ranking ascent. - She now holds **737 points**, narrowly edging out Annabel Sutherland [https://www.india.com/sports/good-news-for-india-world-cup-winning-star-deepti-sharma-becomes-new-world-no-1-in…, not-harmanpreet-kaur-or-smriti-mandhana-8242409]. - **Laura Wolvaardt's Ranking Details:** - Wolvaardt's return to the top of the ODI rankings is a testament to her consistent performance, although specific metrics from her recent matches were not detailed in the sources [https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/deepti-sharma-becomes-top-ranked-t20i-bowler-in-latest-icc-rankings]. ### Conclusion: A New Era in Women's Cricket Rankings **Deepti Sharma's rise to the No. 1 T20I bowler and Laura Wolvaardt's reclaiming of the ODI batting top spot signify a pivotal moment in women's cricket.** 1. **Deepti Sharma's Achievement:** - First-time No. 1 in T20I bowling rankings, showcasing her growth as a player. 2. **Laura Wolvaardt's Competitive Edge:** - Reclaimed her position as the leading ODI batter, emphasizing the competitive nature of women's cricket. 3. **Overall Impact on Rankings:** - The latest updates reflect the ongoing evolution of player performances and rankings, with several players making significant strides. These developments not only highlight individual achievements but also underscore the increasing competitiveness and visibility of women's cricket on the global stage [https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/two-new-no-1-players-on-latest-women-s-rankings-update].