Dubai: India captain Mithali Raj returned to the top five in the latest ICC Women's ODI Player Rankings released on Tuesday after playing a knock of 72 runs in the opening match of their three-match series against England.
The 38-year-old, who has completed 22 years in international cricket, on Sunday rescued her side from a precarious 27 for two but India's total of 201 for eight was not challenging enough for England, who will be defending their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title in New Zealand next year.
Mithali, who had led India to the final of the last World Cup played at Lord's in 2017 gained three slots to reach fifth position after the Bristol knock. The formerly top-ranked batter returned to the top five for the first time since October 2019.
Another Indian player Pooja Vastrakar re-entered in 97th place among batters and 88th among bowlers. Hard-hitting opener Shafali Verma, the top-ranked T20I batter, entered the ODI rankings in 120th place after scoring a 14-ball 15 on debut.
For England, opener Tammy Beaumont has consolidated her top position after her player of the match effort, gaining 26 rating points to reach 791 after her unbeaten 87 while Natalie Sciver's 74 not out helped her inch up from ninth to eight position in the latest women's ranking update.
In the bowlers' list, fast bowler Anya Shrubsole progressed three places to eighth after grabbing two wickets in the match.
Meanwhile left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, top-ranked in T20Is, has gained four slots to reach 10th position with a haul of three for 40 that included the scalps of Mithali and Harmanpreet Kaur. Kate Cross moved up three places to 25th. (UNI)
