Shree Charani becomes top-ranked T20I bowler amid World Cup

While there are a few concerns regarding India’s chances of reaching the semi-finals of the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, there is no denying that the 21-year-old Shree Charani has been one of the standout bowlers of the campaign.

The youngster has picked up 10 wickets in three matches at a mind-boggling average of 6.40 and an equally impressive strike rate of 7.20. She has also been very economical with the ball, conceding runs at just 5.33 per over.

During India’s last game, which was a heartbreaking six-wicket defeat to South Africa on Sunday, June 21, Charani bagged three wickets in her four-over spell. When she took the wicket of Nadine de Klerk, her third on the day, she equalled Poonam Yadav’s record for the most scalps for an Indian bowler in a single edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup.

Now, Charani has achieved another sensational feat, as she has reached the top of the ICC rankings for bowlers in Women’s T20Is.

Meanwhile, in the rankings for batters in T20Is, Shafali Verma and Harmanpreet Kaur grabbed the sixth and 10th spots, respectively. Australia’s Georgia Voll retained the pole position. On the other hand, Hayley Matthews continues to head the all-rounders’ rankings, maintaining her lead over New Zealand’s Melie Kerr.