Shree Charani Hits Career High, Becomes World No.1 T20I Bowler. (Image Internet)
New Delhi: India’s rising spinner Shree Charani has climbed to the top of the ICC Women’s T20I bowling rankings after a brilliant start to the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England. The young left-arm spinner has taken 10 wickets in just three matches, making her India’s biggest bowling story of the tournament so far.
Charani moved up from second place to become the No.1 bowler in Women’s T20I cricket, replacing England’s Linsey Smith at the summit. Smith slipped to third after managing three wickets in three matches for England, while off-spinner Charlie Dean rose one place to second.
Charani’s latest rise came after another impressive spell against South Africa. She took 3/24 even though India suffered their first defeat of the tournament, failing to defend 158 against the Proteas.
Charani began the tournament with 3/21, playing a key supporting role as Deepti Sharma produced a five-wicket haul. She then delivered her best performance of the campaign against the Netherlands, taking 4/19 in India’s big win.
Her 10 wickets have made her the leading wicket-taker of the World Cup. She has also equalled Poonam Yadav’s record for the most wickets by an Indian bowler in a single Women’s T20 World Cup edition, set in 2020.
The latest rankings also saw several changes in the top 10. England’s Sophie Ecclestone jumped four places to No.4, while Pakistan spinner Sadia Iqbal also moved up two spots. Lauren Bell dropped four places to seventh, and India’s Deepti Sharma slipped three spots.
In the all-rounders’ rankings, Chamari Athapaththu moved above Deepti, while Ireland’s Orla Prendergast and Pakistan captain Fatima Sana also gained one place each.
Kapp Gains After India Heroics
South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp made a major jump, climbing five places to No.9 among all-rounders. Her rise came after a match-winning performance against India, where she picked up 2/17 and then scored an unbeaten 81 to guide South Africa to victory.
For India, Charani’s form remains a major positive. Her control, wicket-taking ability and composure under pressure have given the team a weapon in the middle overs.
