Charani has made sure India’s opening win is felt in the standings. The left-arm spinner has been on a tear against Pakistan and is now at No. 2, only five rating points from the top. England’s Linsey Smith is ahead on 733 to her 728, but the margin is thin.
Why this spell changed the rankings race
Sunday at Edgbaston, June 14, saw Charani make her mark when it mattered. With 171 to put up, she was in control, putting 4-0-21-3 on the board and ratcheting up the tension every time Pakistan tried to let off steam. In the end, India put the matter to rest, running out the visitors for 106 to seal a 64-run win.
The way she got Saira Jabeen, Natalia Pervaiz and Rameen Shamim was more than just taking wickets; it was about breaking their rhythm. Brought on after the Powerplay, Charani used a bit of guile in her pace and line to hold the run rate in check and set up a no-nonsense finish for India.
Then there was Deepti Sharma. The Player of the Match put in some numbers you don’t see often – 4-0-10-5, in fact, the best any Indian has put in at a Women’s T20 World Cup. When you have Deepti chipping in like that, the pressure Charani was applying only seemed to grow, and the Pakistan chase fell apart.
The numbers behind the surge
If you look at the latest from the ICC, Charani has put in a five-place move to No. 2 and a 728 rating to her name. She is right behind Linsey Smith (733). You could say her show has put a dent in the pecking order, with even Lauren Bell of England falling to third.
And it’s not an anomaly. Go back to her first series in England last year and you’ll see 31 wickets in 21 T20Is, economy 7.52. She was the one they were talking about then too, named Player of the Series. What we saw on Sunday is in keeping with a player who is cool in the deep end.
It’s more than being close to No. 1; it’s proof of how she does things. Four overs of hard work and precision have put some points on the table. India have a bowler in her who can turn a game and the debate around the rankings.
Deepti’s double boost steadies India’s push
Deepti didn’t just put on a show on the field. She has moved up to No. 5 in the T20I bowling and into third for all-rounders. That kind of form gives India some cover in the dressing room and a few more options for the next group game.
With Charani to be had in the middle and Deepti to hit when you need it, the plan is coming together. Beating Pakistan was a way of saying we can put up a total and make you work for it, without any of the fluster.
Ripple effects across rankings
Some movement on the batting side as well. Smriti Mandhana is still fifth, Harmanpreet Kaur has gone from 10th to 11th. Up top, Georgia Voll of Australia is where she has been at No. 1, with Laura Wolvaardt in second and Beth Mooney in third.
The all-rounder list has a new face at the head of it: Hayley Matthews of the West Indies is No. 1 with 471, edging out New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr. For us, having Deepti in third is a good thing for the team’s overall make-up.
Here are the key developments at a glance:
– Charani is up five to No. 2 on 728 points
– Smith is in front with 733; Bell is third
– Deepti to No. 5 in bowling, third as an all-rounder
– Matthews is the top all-rounder with 471
What comes next
We won’t have to wait long to see what happens. India are in Leeds at Headingley on Wednesday, June 17, to take on the Netherlands. A couple of disciplined overs from Charani could put her within striking distance of the top spot again – she’s only five points off it.
But the bigger story is the sense of purpose in the bowling. To defend 171 by 64 runs with figures like 4-0-21-3 and 4-0-10-5 tells you there is a method here. If they can keep to it, we may be having a different conversation when the group stage is done.
For the time being, though, the message from Birmingham is clear. A young left-armer has put the squeeze on for the title and for the number one ranking as well.
