The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the latest set of winners in the ongoing ICC Awards 2024, with the outstanding cricketers in Men’s Tests and Men’s and Women’s ODIs revealed on ICC channels.

A double success for India sees Jasprit Bumrah crowned the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year, with compatriot Smriti Mandhana sealing her second ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year.

Elsewhere in the ODI category, Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai has clinched the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award after his impressive all-round exploits in a memorable 2024.

Bumrah claims the Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award after a sensational year with the ball saw him take 71 wickets in the longest format at a staggering average of just 14.92.

The 31-year-old returned his best Test haul in 2024, taking 19 more than his nearest rival and consolidating his position as the number one ranked bowler in the ICC Men’s Test Bowler rankings.

A landmark year saw him grab the headlines with sensational wicket-taking spells in Tests against South Africa, England, Bangladesh and more recently in Australia, where he led the wicket-takers in a Player of the Series display down under.

Bumrah overcame fellow nominees England’s Harry Brook and Joe Root, plus ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year Kamindu Mendis to win the award, becoming the first Indian cricketer since Virat Kohli in 2018 to do so.

ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year, Jasprit Bumrah: “I am deeply honored to receive the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award. Test cricket has always been a format I hold close to my heart, and to be recognized on this platform is truly special.

“This award is not just a reflection of my individual efforts but also of the unwavering support of my teammates, coaches, and fans who continue to believe and inspire me every day. Representing India is a privilege I deeply cherish, and knowing my efforts bring smiles to people around the world makes this journey even more special.”

Elsewhere, Smriti Mandhana won her first ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award since 2018 after a stellar year in which she amassed 747 runs at an average of 57.46.

The Indian opener continues to thrive on the international stage, and ended the year with more runs and centuries than any other player, passing three figures in sublime knocks against New Zealand, Australia and in back-to-back contests against South Africa.

Read Also | Most WT20I runs in a calendar year

The 28-year-old triumphed in a hotly contested category, seeing off South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, Australia’s Annabel Sutherland, and 2023’s ODI Cricketer of the Year, Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu.

ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year, Smriti Mandhana: “It’s been an absolute honour to win the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year Award for 2024. I remember how special it was to have won this award in 2018 for the first time. It had fuelled my ambition to do well for my country. And now, having won the award for the second time it will motivate me even more to strive for excellence.

“It is an immense joy and a matter of pride to represent my country at the highest level and it makes me happy to play a role in helping the team succeed. I want to dedicate this award to my teammates, coaches and family who have been my absolute pillars of support.”

Rounding off Monday’s announcements was the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year, won by Afghanistan’s talented all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai, who capped a thrilling year with 417 runs at an average of 52.12, and 17 wickets at 20.47.

Azmatullah began the year hitting his maiden century in the format, a career-best score of 149 not out against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. Another half-century followed two matches later against the same opposition before more impressive scores came against South Africa and Bangladesh.

The all-rounder’s wicket haul lands him in the top ten in the format across the year, highlighted by another career milestone when he took his best figures of four for 18 against Zimbabwe in December.

A remarkable year of sustained performances saw the 24-year-old land the award from the West Indies’ Sherfane Rutherford and Sri Lankan pair Kusal Mendis and Wanindu Hasaranga.

Read Also | The Soaring Value of Women's Sports: A Game-Changer in the Sports World

ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year, Azmatullah Omarzai: “I am very proud to have been named the ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year after a memorable year. It is an honour that I cherish both as an individual and as part of a talented Afghanistan team.

“I would like to thank my teammates, coaches, support staff and fans for their support and prayers. It is thanks to these that I have been able to win this award.”

Announcements in the ICC Awards 2024 will conclude on Tuesday, with the highly anticipated announcement of the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year and the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year

The winners in 12 individual categories are determined by both the ICC Voting Academy and global fans, who registered over 1.5million votes at icc-cricket.com during a twelve-day voting period between 30 December 2024 and 10 January 2025.

Note: The content was created from a press release shared by ICC.

We have all heard multiple times that T20 cricket is a batter’s game. However, one thing is to be noted that it is a bowler who turns the game for his team most times. The teams across the world have understood the fact that they need a good set of bowlers to win a tournament. This is true in the biggest T20 tournament IPL as well.

Over the years, it has been seen that teams who possess quality bowlers perform quite well, while those who struggle in this department generally lag behind.

So, let's take a look at the bowlers with the most wickets in IPL history.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Squads of every IPL team after the auction

Top 10 bowlers with most wickets in IPL history:

10. Ravindra Jadeja | 160* Wickets

Ravindra Jadeja is easily the most well-rounded cricketer India has ever produced. A major portion of his success needs to be credited to the IPL, as the Saurashtra superstar built his international career by learning in the IPL under cricketing greats like Shane Warne, MS Dhoni, Stephen Fleming, and others. 

Apart from missing the 2010 season, Ravindra Jadeja has played all the other seasons with him representing Chennai Super Kings (CSK) since 2012. He has played 240 games taking 160 wickets with the ball with an average of 30.40 and an economy rate of 7.62.

His generational fielding skills have also shined, as the 36-year-old has taken 103 catches in the competition, making him ‘The Ultimate All-rounder’ as he is the only player to have 1000+ runs, 100+ wickets, and 100+ catches, fulfilling his 3-dimensional abilities to the fullest. 

9. Jasprit Bumrah | 165* Wickets

Jasprit Bumrah, the game-changer of the game has put his name at no. 9 on this list of bowlers who scalped the most wickets in IPL history. Bumrah has been playing for Mumbai Indians since the 2013 season, in which the franchise bought him at a cheap price.

Bumrah has scalped 165 wickets in 133 games with an average of 22.51. Meanwhile, Bumrah has bowled at an economy rate of 7.30 in the franchise cricket league. This year he will be playing for MI again as the franchise retained him before the mega auction.

8. Lasith Malinga | 170 Wickets

Lasith Malinga, who is undoubtedly the greatest pacer in the IPL history has taken 170 wickets in 122 games he has played. Malinga averages 19.79 with the bowl and maintained an economy rate of 7.14 in the cash-rich league. 

Though 108 of these wickets have come in death overs where batters try to score at a faster pace and often get out in the process, still his overall numbers are too good to be questioned.

Malinga started playing for Mumbai Indians in the 2009 season, and last appeared in the 2019 season. His final over in the 2019 final was enough to prove his greatness even at that stage of his career.

7. Amit Mishra | 174 Wickets

The next bowler on the list is Indian leggie Amit Mishra who has picked 174 wickets in 162 games. The seventh-highest wicket-taker in the history of IPL, Mishra, went unsold in the mega auction of IPL 2025. 

He has recorded an impressive economy of 7.37 in the league and has been crucial in taking wickets in middle overs. However, previously he has played for Lucknow Super Giants.

6. Ravichandran Ashwin | 180* Wickets

Ravichandran Ashwin is always known as a great bowler in Test cricket but he has also proved his ability in the shortest format of the game. Meanwhile, Ash comes at number six on this list of bowlers with the most wickets in IPL history. 

Ashwin also has picked 180 wickets in 212 matches with an average of 29.82. He has also maintained an economy rate of 7.12. 

Ashwin went on to play for Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, and returns to the CSK fold after having featured for Rajasthan Royals for the last three seasons.

The Indian off-spinner was bought by Chennai Super Kings for Rs. 9.75 crore at the IPL 2025 auction. Ashwin had burst onto the scene in 2009 with CSK under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. He represented Super Kings till 2015 and was part of two title-winning campaigns, in 2010 and 2011. 

5. Sunil Narine | 180* Wickets

The next bowler on this is none other than the West Indies magician Sunil Narine. Narine has taken 180 wickets in 176 games with an average of 25.39 and bowls with an economy rate of 6.73. 

He has been a crucial member of the Kolkata-based franchise KKR, as the franchise won the league back in 2012, 2014, and 2024.

Narine has also played as an opener under Gambhir's captaincy. However, currently, he is with the KKR franchise as they retain the off-spinner before the IPL 2025 mega auction.

4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 181* Wickets

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, with 181 wickets is the fourth name in this list of players with the most wickets in IPL. Bhuvi has played in 176 matches in which he took those 181 wickets at an average of 27.23. However, he has bowled with an economy rate of 7.56 in the league. 

Meanwhile, Bhuvi will play for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise as they bought him in the IPL 2025 mega auction at a whopping 10.75 crore price.

3. Dwayne Bravo | 183 Wickets 

Dwayne Bravo with 183 wickets is the third name on the list. He is the second pacer after Lasith Malinga on the list to take the most wickets in IPL. 

Bravo had been a vital cog in Chennai’s bowling lineup, particularly in the death overs. With MS Dhoni being captain, Bravo’s potential has been used very cleverly for the team’s benefit. 

The all-rounder has played 161 IPL games and averages 23.82 with the ball. 

He played his last IPL match in the 2022 season for Chennai.

2. Piyush Chawla | 192 Wickets

Piyush Chawla, who was bought by Mumbai Indians for IPL 2021 in the mini-auction is the second-highest wicket-taker in the league history. He has picked 192 wickets in 192 matches with an average of 26.60 and an economy being 7.96. 

Piyush Chawla has earlier featured for Chennai, Punjab, and Kolkata-based franchises in the cash-rich league.

Over the last two years, Chawla was the lead spinner for Mumbai Indians. But, no teams went for him in IPL 2025 auction.

1. Yuzvendra Chahal | 205* Wickets

Yuzvendra Chahal has taken the most wickets in IPL history. Chahal has played in 160 games in which he has scalped 205 wickets with an average of 22.44. Moreover, he has an economy of 7.84 in the league.

Previously Chahal has played for RCB till 2021 and this season he will be featuring the Rajasthan Royals as they bought him in the IPL mega auction.

Chahal was with Rajasthan Royals since the 2022 season, claiming 66 wickets in 46 games. He has also represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians earlier in the IPL. He is among the 19 bowlers to have claimed a hat-trick in the IPL.

The leg-break bowler also won the Purple Cap for being the leading wicket-taker during the 2022 season, with 27 wickets to his name in 17 games at an average of 19.51 and an economy of 7.75.

Performing in ICC events is what every player dreams to do for his team. Each player wants to contribute to his team at the highest level of the game and ICC events are at that level. Be it a batsman or a bowler each & every player contributes to his team's victory at the ICC events. In this article, we will take a look into those five players who took the most wickets for India in ICC events so far.

#1. Mohammed Shami | 77 wickets

Mohammed Shami has been the most influential bowler for India in ICC events. The fast bowler played only 36 matches in ICC events including ICC Men's ODI and T20 World Cups and Champions Trophy and has taken 77 wickets so far. 

Shami has an incredible average of 16.53 runs per wicket in ICC events while his strike rate of 17.3 proves how lethal he has been for India when it matters the most. His five five-wicket hauls are also a record for India in ICC events. 

Not only that, his 55 wickets in the ODI World Cup is fifth fifth-highest in cricket history and the best among Indian bowlers. 

Also Read: ICC Events 2024-31: Full schedule and host countries

#2. Zaheer Khan | 71 wickets

Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan is second in the list of the most wickets for India in the ICC events. The left-arm pacer took a total of 71 wickets in 44 matches. Moreover, he is also the 2nd highest wicket-taker as a pacer for India across formats, following Kapil Dev. He has 610 wickets across formats including 282 wickets in ODIs and 17 wickets in T20Is.

In ICC events, Zaheer has an average of 22.25 and a strike rate of 26.8, with 4 four-wicket hauls. His performance for India in the 2011 World Cup is one of the most underrated performances in World Cup history. 

Also Read: Winners list of last 10 ICC Tournaments

#3. Ravindra Jadeja | 69 wickets

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has also contributed to his team in ICC events. Be it with batting, bowling or fielding Jadeja has always been in the game. The left-arm orthodox spinner has taken 69 wickets in 65 games for India at the ICC events. 

The left-arm spinner has been part of several ICC events for India. He has an incredible bowling average of 29.27 and a strike rate of 33.3. Jadeja also has two five-wicket hauls for India in ICC events. 

#4 Jasprit Bumrah | 68 wickets

Following Ravindra Jadeja on the list is one of the greatest pacers to play for India, Jasprit Bumrah. The once-in-a-generation bowler has been incredible for India in every format he has played for, 

Bumrah's sheer accuracy and ability to take wickets at any stage of the match has enabled captains to use him in crucial moments. His incredible wicket-taking skills also helped him win the Player of the Tournament award in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, where India was victorious. 

Till now in 43 matches in ICC Events, Bumrah has taken 68 wickets at an average of 19.50 runs per wicket with a strike-rate of 25.2 balls per wicket. Astonishingly, Bumrah is yet to take any five-wicket haul in ICC events. 

Also Read: Most ICC Trophy wins by any team

#5. Ravichandran Ashwin | 59 wickets

 Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is always known for his role in the longer format of the game. But, very few know what he has done for India in the limited-overs format, especially in ICC events.

He comes just after Jasprit Bumrah in this list of most wickets for India in ICC events. So far Ashwin has taken 59 wickets in 43 matches that he played for India in ICC events.

Before Ravindra Jadeja took over, Ravichandran Ashwin was India's most successful spinner for India in ICC events. The former off-spinner averages 23.00 with the ball and also has a great strike rate of 26.6 in ICC Events.

#6. Harbhajan Singh | 50 wickets

Another off-spinner has occupied his place in this list. Harbhajan Singh comes up after Ravichandran Ash in this list of most wickets for India in ICC events. Bhajji has taken a total of 50 wickets in 53 matches that he has played for India in the ICC events.

The former spinner has some brilliant records in his cricket career, especially in Tests and ODIs. Harbhajan has taken 711 wickets in his career including 411 tests, 269 ODIs, and 25 T20I wickets.

The spinner has done well for India in the ICC events by taking wickets in crucial times. Bhajji has bowled with an average of 33.36 in ODIs and 25.32 in T20Is.

N.B: The stats are accurate as of 4/3/2025 and updated by Koushik Biswas

Royal Challengers Bengaluru registered their straight second win of the WPL 2025, as they defeated telecoms by six wickets in Vadodara on Monday. Smriti Mandhana's 81 from 47 and Renuka Singh's three wickets helped them get an easy win to reach the top of the points table. RCB chased down Delhi's 142-run target with 22 balls to go and 8 wickets in hands.

Renuka and Wareham impressed for RCB with the ball

Smriti Mandhana won the toss and decided to bowl first on a wicket that was a little bit damp as per the pitch report. Renuka Singh Thakur, just like the first match, struck early to give moment term to RCB.

The Indian medium pacer dismissed dangerous Shafali Verma on a golden duck. But Jemimah Rodrigues and captain Meg Lanning made sure Delhi Capitals were off to a good start in the first inning. 

Though Lanning was steady and slow, Jemimah looked apart with shots around the ground. She hit two sixes one over the cover and one over square leg to prove her range of shots. However, it was her willingness to hit too many kinds of shots, which was the cause of her dismissal.

Despite scoring at more than 150 strike rate, Jemimah decided to play a reverse sweep and was stumped by Richa Ghosh off Georgia Wareham on 34 off 22. 

It was her wicket that gave the momentum back to RCB as Kim Garth dismissed Meg Lanning with a short ball in the next over. Except for Sarah Bryce’s 23 from 19, no Delhi Capitals batter could get a start and eventually, they were bundled out for 141 in the first inning. 

Renuka Singh won the Purple cap after here 23/3 while Georgia Wareham also took 3 for 24. Kim Garth and Ekta Bisht finished with two wickets each for RCB as well. 

𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐊𝐀 = 𝐖𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐓𝐒 🔥

Renuka Singh Thakur now holds the Purple Cap of WPL 2025 after her 23/3 against Delhi Capitals.

RCB need 142 to register their second win. #DCvsRCB | #RenukaSingh | #WPL2025 | #DelhiCapitals | #RCB pic.twitter.com/3PYEPdqX6Z

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) February 17, 2025

Mandhana show during the chase

In the second innings, RCB captain Smirti Mandhana and Danni Wyatt-Hodge gave the defending champions a solid opening start which enabled them to chase down the total easily. Their powerplay score of 57/0 gave them a solid platform to finish well. 

In a small tournament like the Women’s Premier League, where matches are less, net run rate is something every team wants to have in their kitty. RCB after a great start also wanted to have a higher net run rate against Delhi Capitals. 

Smriti Mandhana completed her first fifty of the season in 27 balls while Danni Wyatt-Hodge kept on supporting her from the other end. Soon, their partnership crossed 100 in just 62 balls to stamp their authority. 

Danni (42 off 33) was dismissed while going for a big shot against Arundhati Reddy but Mandhana kept on striking at her best to ensure RCB managed an easy win.

Delhi could have made a comeback in the match but just like last match Ellyse Perry was dropped on 1 off Jess Jonassen. They finally struck back but it was already too late for them. Shikha Pandey dismissed Mandhana while playing a scoop on 81 from 47, her highest in WPL career. However, only 9 were needed at that time. 

In the end, Richa Ghosh ended the game with a huge six to take RCB to the top of the points table with 22 balls to go in the match. 

DC vs RCB WPL 2025 Match Summary

𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐂𝐁 𝐠𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 🔝

Two out of two wins for the defending champions as Smriti Mandhana's 81 helped RCB beat Delhi Capitals by 8 wickets and 22 balls to go! 🔥#WPL2025 #SmritiMandhana #RCB #DCvsRCB pic.twitter.com/HWs6sT1u8S

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) February 17, 2025

A smashing unbeaten 64 from just 27 balls from Richa Ghosh and fifty from Ellyse Perry helped RCB break the record for the highest successful chase in WPL history in the opening game of WPL 2025 between Gujarat Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Ashleigh Gardner's unbeaten 79 from 37 balls helped Gujarat Giants reach their highest-ever score of 201 in the first innings. In reply, RCB chased down the target with 9 balls to go and six wickets in hands after Richa Ghosh played one of the most devastating knocks of the tournament's history.

Gardner and Mooney show in the first inning

Smriti Mandhana won the toss and decided to feel first as the new season of the Women’s Premier League was introduced in Vadodara. Giants had a steady powerplay of 39 runs while losing only one wicket of Laura Wolvaardt (6). Laura was dismissed by Renuka Singh in the fifth over while Dayalan Hemalatha (4) was sent back to the pavilion by Kanika Ahuja in the seventh over. 

Then, it was the partnership between Captain Ashleigh Gardner and opener Beth Mooney that gave Gujarat the momentum they were looking for. Though Mooney was dismissed by Prema Rawat in the 12th over after a solid 56 from 42 balls, Gardner continued smashing the ball for fun.

Gardner along with West Indian all-rounder Deandra Dottin put up a 67-run partnership for the fourth wicket to take Gujarat Giants close to 150 with nearly four overs to go in the innings. 

The Aussie all-rounder then added 49 in the last three overs including a 20-run overs against VJ Joshitha and Georgia Wareham. Gardner remained unbeaten on 79 from 37 balls, which included 3 boundaries and 8 massive sixes. 

This was the highest score by any Gujarat Giants batter in WPL history as they scored their highest score of 201/5 in the tournament so far. Except for Renuka Singh’s 25/2, every RCB bowler was sent out of the park in the first inning. 

𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐏𝐋 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 🔥

Fifties from Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney helped Gujarat Giants put their highest score of 201 in WPL history!

The defending champions RCB will now have to chase 202 to win!#WPL2025 | #GGvsRCB | #WomensPremierLeague pic.twitter.com/OEZO9PziA6

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) February 14, 2025

RCB's shaky start to the chase

While chasing a big total of 202, RCB lost two early wickets, both to Ashleigh Gardner. The off-spinner first trapped Smriti Mandhana in front of the wicket on 9 and then clean bowler Danni Wyatt-Hodge on 4. 

But a great day for Aussies continued in the opening game of WPL 2025 as Ellyse Perry struck a solid partnership with Raghvi Bist to keep RCB in the chase. 

Missed chances and Perry's fifty

Perry started hitting the ball out of the middle of the bat from the start and found gaps easily. The scene would have been different for RCB if Perry had not been dropped on 20 from 14 balls by Harleen Deol at long-on in the 8th over. 

If the missed catch was not good enough to break the hearts of Giants’ fans, Beth Mooney missed a stumping of Perry four balls later. 

Perry took advantage of the missed chances by GG fielders and reached her fifty in just 27 balls. Post her fifty, Perry lost her partner Raghvi Bist (25) while going for a big shot. But, luckily for RCB, incoming batter Richa Ghosh was dropped on duck by Simran Shaikh off Priya Mishra in the 12th over of the second inning. 

Richa Ghosh with WPL's most devastating inning

Perry (57) was dismissed in the 13th over by Sayali Satghare but Richa Ghosh and Kanika Ahuja took the game away from Gujarat Giants with some massive hits. A few miss fielding from Gujarat Giants' fielders helped RCB as well. 

Richa Ghosh completed her fifty in just 23 balls and took the game by storm. Gaints' bowlers could not just find any answer to the power-hitting of the wicket-keeper batter. Kanika Ahuja also supported her with a quick-fire unbeaten 30 from 13 balls. 

Ghosh remained undefeated on 64 from 27 balls including 7 boundaries and 4 sixes as she finished the game with a six. Eventually, RCB won the game with six wickets in hand and 9 balls to go. 

GG vs RCB Score Summary

𝐎𝐇 𝐌𝐘 𝐆(𝐇)𝐎𝐒𝐇! 🔥

Richa Ghosh's unbeaten 64 from 27 balls helps RCB with the highest successful chase in WPL history! ✅

They have chased Gujarat Giants' 202-run target with 9 balls to go!

Fire-Power from Richa 🔥#RichaGhosh #WPL2025 #rcbvgg #GGvsRCB #RCB pic.twitter.com/VTbHkTTr6J

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) February 14, 2025

Women’s cricket is constantly growing, and matches are continuously being played on a bigger stage with larger crowds. 

There are female cricketers who paved the way for others and continuously tried to grow the game even when only the smallest spotlight was on the sport, and such players need commending for their efforts. 

So, let's dig into the incredible careers and achievements of some of the best female cricketers who are making history.

Top Female Cricketers

10. Chamari Athapaththu | Sri Lanka 

Chamari Athapaththu is the greatest cricketer from Sri Lanka to have played women’s cricket. 

Debuting as a 19-year-old, she was soon noted for her aggressive batting. 

She became captain of the Sri Lanka national team and has helped a not-so-strong team challenge much more formidable opponents on the global stage.

In 2024 she led Sri Lanka to an underdog win in the Asia Cup women’s T20I series and finished as Player of the Tournament. 

Chamari has also led Sri Lanka to its first-ever series wins over South Africa and England in T20Is and over New Zealand in ODIs. 

She holds the record for most runs for Sri Lanka in women’s ODIs and T20Is, and her nine women’s ODI hundreds are a Sri Lankan record as well. 

In April 2024, her unbeaten 195 helped Sri Lanka complete the first-ever successful chase of more than 300 runs in a women’s ODI.

In 2023, a seating zone at the Sydney Cricket Ground was named “Chamari Bay” in her honor.

9. Laura Wolvaardt | South Africa 

Laura Wolvaardt made her debut for South Africa as an opening batter at age 16, and by age 25 she became her country’s record holder for most ODI runs, most ODI hundreds, and most T20I runs in women’s cricket. 

Along the way, she became the youngest centurion, male or female, for South Africa in international cricket. 

In 2024 Wolvaardt became only the third woman to score a hundred in all three formats of international cricket, achieving the feat in a Test vs. India. 

After that, she was also named captain of the South Africa T20I team for the World Cup and captained her side to the final where it lost to New Zealand.

8. Heather Knight | England 

Heather Knight took over as captain of the England women’s team in 2016 when Charlotte Edwards retired and led it to victory in the 2017 women’s ODI World Cup at home. 

She was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year that year and was also awarded an OBE. 

As of 2024 Knight has more than 5,000 runs in international cricket.

7. Amelia Kerr | New Zealand 

Amelia Kerr is a third-generation New Zealand cricketer who emerged on the international scene with a bang. 

At age 16, she was the youngest to earn a New Zealand Cricket contract and to debut for the national team in 2017. 

The next year, at 17, she became the youngest cricketer, man or woman, to score an international double century. During that innings, she beat the women’s ODI record held by Belinda Clark on her way to an unbeaten 232.

Not content with scoring a double, she also took 5 wickets while bowling in one of the all-time great all-round displays. 

Kerr has since been a consistent performer for New Zealand and in 2024 was named both the Player of the Final and the Player of the Tournament as New Zealand won the women’s T20I World Cup.

6. Hayley Matthews | West Indies 

Hayley Matthews is a cricketer from Barbados who plays for the West Indies women’s cricket team and became the team’s captain in 2022. 

Matthews is an all-rounder who has more than 4,000 runs in women’s ODIs and T20Is, as well as more than 100 wickets in each format. 

A natural athlete, she played both track and field and cricket in her youth, before focusing on cricket and making her debut for the West Indies. 

Her crowning glory was a Player of the Match performance in the women’s T20I World Cup final in 2016, as the West Indies beat favorites Australia to win its first title.

Matthews is a highly sought after player in franchise leagues across the world and was Player of the Tournament in the first edition of the WPL in 2023, when she helped her team, Mumbai Indians, win the title.

5. Nat Sciver-Brunt | England 

Nat Sciver-Brunt plays international cricket for England. She has scored more than 6,000 international runs with 10 centuries and taken more than 150 wickets as of 2024. 

She is credited with inventing the “Natmeg” shot, in which she hits the ball between her legs for runs. 

In 2013 she became the first England bowler to take a women’s T20I hat trick.

Nat Sciver was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2018 and won the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award in both 2022 and 2023. 

She is married to fellow England cricketer Katherine Sciver-Brunt.

4. Ellyse Perry | Australia 

Ellyse Perry is one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of cricket based on sheer numbers: a Test batting average of over 60, a Test bowling average below 22, and women’s ODI batting and bowling averages of 50 and 25, respectively. 

In 2007, at age 16, Perry became the youngest Australian to play international cricket. 

She is also the first Australian to have appeared in cricket as well as football (soccer) World Cups, playing the latter in 2011 in Germany. 

She has won the ICC Women’s Player of the Year award twice, in 2017 and 2019. 

In 2020 she was named the ICC Female Player of the Decade. Perry is one of the most famous female cricketers in the world.

3. Harmanpreet Kaur | India

Harmanpreet Kaur debuted for India in 2009 but is best remembered for an unbeaten innings of 171, which helped underdogs India beat Australia to reach the final of the 2017 women’s ODI World Cup.

The knock made her a household name in India and helped take the popularity of the women’s game to the next level. 

She has also scored India’s fastest T20I hundred off only 49 balls. Harmanpreet has more than 7,000 international runs and more than 70 wickets. 

In 2016 she became the first Indian cricketer to sign a contract with the Australian Big Bash League, playing for Sydney Thunder. In 2017 she was awarded the Arjuna Award. 

Picked as captain by the Mumbai Indians in the WPL, she led them to victory in the inaugural season of the WPL in 2023. She was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year the same year.

Harmanpreet has also captained the Indian women’s national team across formats since 2016.

2. Alyssa Healy | Australia 

Alyssa Healy is a wicketkeeper batsman who captains the Australian women’s national team.

She had a middling batting record until 2017 but has since remodeled herself into a formidable opening batter. 

In 2018 she was Player of the Tournament in Australia’s women’s T20I World Cup win; she was named Women’s T20I Player of the Year that year. 

Healy was also Player of the Match when Australia successfully defended its T20I title in the 2020 final. 

She continued her big-match streak with a Player of the Match performance in the 2022 women’s ODI World Cup final, scoring a mammoth 170 runs and earning the Player of the Series award. 

In 2020 Healy surpassed MS Dhoni’s record for the most wicketkeeping dismissals in T20Is by any keeper, male or female. 

1. Smriti Mandhana | India

Currently regarded as one of the best batters in women’s cricket, Smriti Mandhana holds several coveted records to her name.

She has scored more than 7,000 international runs with more than 10 hundreds across formats. 

Her nine ODI hundreds are an Indian women’s record. 

She captained her state team Maharashtra in 2013 at just age 16 and debuted for India the same year. 

Mandhana was the costliest buy in the inaugural WPL auction and was picked by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as captain for 3.4 crore rupees. 

She led RCB to victory in the second edition of the WPL in 2024. 

Mandhana won the ICC Women’s ODI Player of the Year award in 2018. She has also won the Rachael Hayhoe Flint Award for Best Women’s Cricketer of the Year twice, in 2018 and 2021.