Sree Charani has reached another landmark in her rapidly developing international career, becoming the holder of the highest-ever rating points recorded in the ICC Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings.
The India left-arm spinner climbed to a career-best 817 rating points, moving beyond the previous benchmark of 806 set by Australia’s Megan Schutt in November 2018. The achievement comes after an outstanding run for Charani, who played a major role in India’s success at the Women’s Asia Cup and Asian Games.
It is another significant step for a player who has made an impact in international cricket in a remarkably short period. Charani made her T20I debut in April 2025 and has already established herself as one of India’s most important white-ball bowlers. The ICC player profile currently lists her with 62 T20I wickets from 33 matches, including four four-wicket hauls.
Charani’s incredible rise continues
Charani’s rise to the top of the rankings did not happen overnight. Her breakthrough year has included strong performances on the biggest stages.
Earlier in 2026, she became the world’s No.1 ranked T20I bowler during the Women’s T20 World Cup. At that tournament, she finished as India’s leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets in five matches and earned a place in the official Team of the Tournament. Her best figures were 4/19 against the Netherlands.
That World Cup campaign already underlined how quickly Charani had progressed. She had only made her international debut around a year earlier, yet she was able to lead the bowling charts at a major ICC tournament.
Her performances after the World Cup have now pushed her to another level.
During India’s successful Women’s Asia Cup campaign, Charani claimed 12 wickets, including four wickets in the final against Sri Lanka. Her 4/20 helped India dismiss Sri Lanka for 111 as India completed a 72-run victory and secured a record-extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup title.
The final was a particularly impressive display of control. Charani removed Harshita Samarawickrama before returning to pick up the wickets of Kavisha Dilhari and Nilakshika Silva. She eventually completed her four-wicket haul with another dismissal late in the innings.
Another memorable performance at the Asian Games
Charani did not slow down after the Asia Cup.
India’s next assignment came at the Asian Games in Japan, where the spinner again produced match-winning spells.
Against hosts Japan, Charani delivered one of her best T20I performances, finishing with 4/10 from four overs. Even more impressive was her control: she bowled 20 dot balls from her 24 deliveries as India bowled Japan out for only 57 runs. India then chased down the target inside five overs to book their place in the semi-finals.
Charani also made an impact in the gold-medal match against Sri Lanka on 22 September. She took two wickets as India secured a huge 147-run victory and finished the Asian Games campaign with the gold medal.
That sequence of performances explains why her ranking rating surged to the historic 817 mark.
Deepti Sharma also makes a big move
India’s dominance in the rankings is not limited to Charani.
Deepti Sharma has also been rewarded for her performances, moving to 754 points in the T20I Bowling Rankings according to the latest update supplied by the ICC.
Deepti claimed three wickets in the Asian Games final against Sri Lanka and continues to occupy second place behind Charani. England’s Sophie Ecclestone is third on 723 points.
The presence of two Indian spinners near the top of the rankings highlights the depth India currently have in their bowling attack.
Charani’s ability to attack with the new ball and through the middle overs, combined with Deepti’s experience and control, gives India two very different but highly effective spin options.
Smriti Mandhana returns to the top five
There was also positive movement for India’s batting group.
Smriti Mandhana has returned to the top five of the ICC Women’s T20I Batting Rankings after another important contribution for India.
Mandhana scored 79 in the Asian Games gold-medal match against Sri Lanka, helping India produce a dominant performance before the bowlers completed the job.
Her return to the top five adds another layer to India’s strong presence in the latest rankings.
Australia’s Beth Mooney remains at the top of the T20I batting rankings with 785 points, followed by Georgia Voll on 779. The rankings continue to reflect the performances of players across international cricket’s biggest tournaments.
Hayley Matthews and Zimbabwe stars also rise
The latest rankings update has also produced significant movements outside India.
West Indies captain Hayley Matthews moved three places to fourth in the Women’s ODI Batting Rankings after her outstanding 182 against Zimbabwe. That innings was a record-breaking effort and helped West Indies take the opening ODI of the series.
Zimbabwe’s players also made noticeable gains.
Nyasha Gwanzura climbed 52 places to 156th in the ODI Bowling Rankings after producing career-best figures of 4/33 in Zimbabwe’s famous victory over West Indies in the second ODI.
Modester Mupachikwa moved 16 places to a career-best 40th in the ODI Batting Rankings after scores of 86 and 38 across the two matches.
Realeanna Grimmond also jumped 34 places, while Francisca Chipare climbed 26 spots after contributing with the ball.
For West Indies, Ashmini Munisar and Aaliyah Alleyne were among the other players to benefit from their performances in the series.
What makes Charani’s record special?
The most striking part of Charani’s achievement is how quickly she has reached it.
An ICC ranking rating is not simply a reflection of one match. It is influenced by performances over a period of time, with the quality of opposition and recent results contributing to a player’s ranking position.
Charani’s numbers show why she has been able to stay at the top.
She has produced wickets at the Women’s T20 World Cup, continued her form during the Asia Cup and then delivered again at the Asian Games. Her four-wicket hauls against the Netherlands, Sri Lanka and Japan demonstrate that her impact has not been restricted to one particular tournament.
At just 21, she is already building a reputation as one of the key players in India’s next generation.
The record of 817 points also gives her a remarkable statistical milestone to add to her growing list of achievements. Schutt’s previous mark of 806 had stood since 2018, making Charani’s rise past that figure a notable moment in the history of the women’s T20I rankings.
India’s spin attack is becoming a major strength
India’s recent success has been built around contributions from several players, but their spin department has repeatedly made the difference.
Charani’s attacking left-arm spin has provided wickets, while Deepti Sharma brings experience and the ability to control the middle overs. Their performances in the Asia Cup final and Asian Games showed how effectively India can use spin to put pressure on opposition batting line-ups.
For Charani personally, however, the biggest challenge now will be maintaining this level of consistency.
She has already reached No.1 in the T20I bowling rankings, starred at the World Cup, helped India win the Asia Cup and collected an Asian Games gold medal. The next stage of her career will be about turning this spectacular start into sustained excellence.
For Indian cricket fans, it is certainly a name worth keeping an eye on.
Sree Charani has gone from an international newcomer to a record-setting T20I bowler in a remarkably short time. With major tournaments already producing some of the best performances of her young career, her journey is only getting more interesting.
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