With the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 just around the corner, set to begin in less than two weeks, here’s a look at the top-ranked players from each participating nation in the ICC Women’s Rankings, as the stage is set for thrilling action in India and Sri Lanka, according to the ICC website.
India
Batter: Smriti Mandhana (ICC Ranking 1) – Ranked the world’s best batter in the format, Smriti Mandhana has been an indispensable force for India at the top of the order, with over 100 ODI appearances. As Harmanpreet Kaur’s deputy, she plays a crucial role in guiding the team on the field.
With 559 runs across 16 games in two Women’s World Cups, the left-hander will be aiming to make her mark once again as India look to lift the coveted trophy on home soil for the first time.
Bowler: Deepti Sharma (7) – About to feature in her third World Cup, Deepti Sharma has been a key all-rounder in India’s plans leading up to the tournament. The right-arm spinner has taken 14 wickets in as many outings at the World Cup and will aim to add more at home.
All-Rounder: Deepti Sharma (4) – Beyond her bowling, Sharma has also been a dependable batter down the order, with 278 runs across the 2017 and 2022 editions. Her all-round presence makes her one of India’s most vital players.
Australia
Batter: Ellyse Perry (ICC Ranking 4) – An all-time great, 34-year-old Ellyse Perry will play in her fifth World Cup, becoming the first Australian woman to achieve this milestone.
She has scored 673 runs in 25 World Cup matches at an average of 56.08, alongside 31 wickets with the ball.
Bowler: Ash Gardner (2) – Gardner has risen to become one of Australia’s leading bowlers, with 101 wickets in just 77 ODIs. In World Cups, she has 18 wickets in 15 matches and will be key to Australia’s title defence.
All-Rounder: Ash Gardner (1) – Gardner also contributes with the bat in the middle order, having scored 134 runs across two campaigns, including a blistering 48* off 18 balls against New Zealand in 2022.
Bangladesh
Batter: Nigar Sultana Joty (ICC Ranking 27) – The skipper has scored over 1,300 ODI runs and remains the batting anchor as she leads Bangladesh in her second consecutive World Cup.
Bowler: Nahida Akter (9) – With 69 wickets in 54 ODIs, the left-arm spinner has quickly risen into the top 10. She picked up five wickets in Bangladesh’s 2022 campaign and will spearhead their spin attack.
All-Rounder: Marufa Akter (32) – At just 20 years old, Marufa Akter is already making her mark with pace and is seen as a future star for Bangladesh.
England
Batter: Nat Sciver-Brunt (ICC Ranking 2) – Now England’s all-format captain, Sciver-Brunt has amassed 4,092 ODI runs at an average of 46.50. She has scored 805 runs in just 18 World Cup matches, including four centuries, with her memorable 148* in the 2022 final against Australia.
Bowler: Sophie Ecclestone (1) – The world’s top-ranked bowler has taken 125 wickets in 75 ODIs at just 19.79 apiece. At 26, she will be playing her second World Cup after claiming 21 wickets in nine games in 2022, including a match-winning 6/36 against South Africa in the semi-final.
All-Rounder: Nat Sciver-Brunt (8) – With 79 ODI wickets to her name, Sciver-Brunt’s dual skills make her one of the most complete players in the game. She has taken 11 wickets in World Cups, further cementing her central role in England’s campaign.
New Zealand
Batter: Sophie Devine (ICC Ranking 13) – The New Zealand captain is 10 runs short of 4,000 ODI runs, with eight centuries to her credit. In four World Cups, she has scored 669 runs, including a century against South Africa in 2013.
Bowler: Jess Kerr (12) – Since her 2020 debut, Jess Kerr has taken 52 wickets in 39 ODIs. This will be her second World Cup, having claimed five wickets in seven matches in 2022.
All-Rounder: Melie Kerr (5) – At just 24, Melie Kerr already has 2,167 runs and 99 wickets in 77 ODIs. With 214 runs and 19 wickets across two World Cups, she is New Zealand’s brightest all-round hope.
Pakistan
Batter: Sidra Amin (ICC Ranking 23) – Pakistan’s most consistent ODI batter, Sidra Amin has scored nearly 2,000 runs with four centuries, including a World Cup hundred against Bangladesh in 2022.
Bowler: Nashra Sandhu (13) – Making her third World Cup appearance, Sandhu has 98 wickets in 72 ODIs. She has already taken 16 wickets in 13 World Cup games and remains Pakistan’s go-to bowler.
All-Rounder: Fatima Sana (17) – At just 23, captain Fatima Sana has 63 wickets and nearly 600 runs in ODIs. Having debuted in the 2022 World Cup, her lower-order hitting and medium pace make her a genuine match-winner.
South Africa
Batter: Laura Wolvaardt (ICC Ranking 3) – With 4,519 runs in 107 ODIs at an average close to 50, Wolvaardt is among the world’s best. She scored 433 runs in the 2022 World Cup and has 757 overall in the tournament.
Bowler: Marizanne Kapp (6) – The veteran all-rounder has 167 wickets in 151 ODIs. Playing in her fifth World Cup, she already has 32 wickets from 22 matches. Her 5/45 against England in 2022 remains one of the tournament’s standout spells.
All-Rounder: Marizanne Kapp (3) – With 3,182 ODI runs in addition to her bowling success, Kapp is South Africa’s backbone. She has 451 World Cup runs, including a century, and will be crucial to their title hopes.
Sri Lanka
Batter: Chamari Athapaththu (ICC Ranking 9) – Sri Lanka’s captain, Athapaththu, returns for her third World Cup after missing 2022. She has 509 runs in 14 matches, including her legendary 178* against Australia in 2017, and over 3,800 ODI runs overall.
Bowler: Inoka Ranaweera (28) – The experienced left-arm spinner has 80 wickets in 80 ODIs. With nine wickets in previous World Cups, she will lead Sri Lanka’s spin attack again.
All-Rounder: Chamari Athapaththu (7) – With 45 ODI wickets alongside her batting feats, Athapaththu remains Sri Lanka’s most influential player, capable of turning games single-handedly.