ICC Rankings Update: Shafali Climbs, Mandhana Slides After South Africa Series

India opener Shafali Verma has moved up two places to sixth in the latest ICC Women’s T20I Batting Rankings , following her aggressive half-century against South Africa in the ongoing five match series.

Shafali played a fluent knock of 57 off 38 balls in the second T20I at Durban, although India once again ended on the losing side, going down by eight wickets and slipping to a 0 to 2 deficit in the series. She had earlier scored 34 in the opening match, which India lost by six wickets at the same venue.

In contrast, India vice captain and opening partner Smriti Mandhana has slipped one spot to fourth after a subdued start to the series, managing scores of 13 and 12 in the two outings. She has been overtaken by West Indies batter Hayley Matthews , who now holds third place in the rankings.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has moved up two places and is now just outside the top ten at 11th position, boosted by her unbeaten 47 in the series opener.

However, it has been a tougher phase for Jemimah Rodrigues , who has dropped four places to 14th after a lean run with the bat.

Among the top order reshuffle, South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt retains fifth place after a solid half century in the second T20I. She sits just behind Australia’s Georgia Voll , who occupies fourth place.

South Africa also saw notable gains, with Annerie Dercksen jumping 18 places to 33rd and Sune Luus rising eight spots to 35th following strong performances in Durban.

In the bowling rankings, India have also seen minor setbacks. Deepti Sharma has slipped two places to fifth, Renuka Singh Thakur has dropped to ninth, and Arundhati Reddy has moved out of the top ten to 12th position.

The series continues to serve as key preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in June in England and Wales .