Vaishnavi Sharma makes big jump in ODI rankings after dream Zimbabwe series

Vaishnavi Sharma has been rewarded with a massive jump in the latest ICC Women’s ODI rankings for her impressive performances against Zimbabwe. The 20-year-old left-arm pacer climbed 53 places to break into the top 100, moving to 94th in the bowling charts after a memorable run in which she took nine wickets in just two matches.

Vaishnavi was one of India’s standout performers as Smriti Mandhana’s side completed a 3-0 clean sweep in the three-match ODI series. The young spinner picked up four wickets in the second ODI to return with 4/39 in 10 overs before going one better in the series finale with her first five-wicket haul in the format.

Her figures of 5/39 in 10 overs helped India bowl out Zimbabwe for 131 in 39.5 overs in the third ODI in Vadodara. The five-wicket haul also marked a special record in the Vaishnavi script. At 20 years and 314 days, she became the second youngest Indian woman to take five wickets in ODIs and the youngest Indian bowler to do so in 10 years since Deepti Sharma.

What makes Vaishnavi’s rise even more impressive is that she did not take a single ODI wicket before the Zimbabwe series. After making her debut during India’s tour of Australia earlier this year, she has played just one match in the format without making a mark.

– The painful wait for the 5th wicket and the joy of finally getting it Vaishnavi Sharma shares how the team’s unwavering support made it happen – By @jigsactin #TeamIndia | #INDvWINTER | @mflone_ BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 29, 2026

PRATIKA, SAYALI AWARDED FOR ZIMBABWE SHOW AS WELL

Vaishnavi was not the only Indian to make significant strides in the latest rankings update. Pratika Rawal continued her impressive run with the bat, climbing three places to 18th in the ODI batting rankings.

The Indian opener has enjoyed a productive run, posting scores of 100 not out, 61 and 59 not out in three matches. Her third consecutive 50+ score came in the ODI final where she made an unbeaten 59 off 56 balls to help India complete the chase.

Sayali Satghare also made gains in the bowling charts, moving up 18 places to 85th. The right-arm pacer impressed with the new ball in the final ODI, returning figures of 2/11 in six overs. She also bowled 30 dot balls to help India restrict Zimbabwe to a modest total.

Shafali Verma was another Indian batsman to benefit from the ranking update. She climbed eight places to No.65 after smashing an unbeaten 51 off just 26 balls in the series finale.

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