On Wednesday, Neetu David was enlisted into the ICC Hall of Fame, becoming the second Indian woman, after Diana Edulji, to receive this prestigious honor. 

Neetu David, who has dedicated her life to the sport, both as a player and as an administrator, rightly deserves this moment. However, it's not just recognizing the number enscripted in the record books, but many unsaid contributions, her craft of spin bowling, and her presence on the off-field encouraging women's cricket for a better future.

The Record-Setting Spinner

Neetu David’s career speaks volumes in numbers—141 wickets in 97 ODIs, 41 wickets in 10 Tests. Moreover, she proudly carries her tag as the first Indian woman to cross the 100-wicket milestone in ODIs.

It was in a 1995 Test match against England that Neetu David etched her name in history. Her spell of 8/53 remains the best-ever bowling figure in a women’s Test innings to this day. Even though India faced a heartbreaking two-run loss, Neetu’s had set the gold standard for slow bowling. To be honest, scalping eight wickets is fiery enough in those days. But when it comes with grace and consistency, it is something that needs to be worshipped. 

Her meticulous ability to vary her pace, loop the ball just right, and outsmart batters is what made Neetu David a nightmare for batters across the world. It would be absolutely wrong to say that she was a bowler. She literally planned and crafted her dismissals, giving treats to the eyes.

A Journey Across Three World Cups

David has played in three World Cups and has experienced both glory and heartbreak. A semi-final finish in 1997 on home soil and an early exit in 2000—she went through all but stayed tall with the ball in hand.

However, she was in her peak form in the 2005 Women’s World Cup in South Africa. Neetu concluded as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, bagging 20 wickets, guiding India towards their maiden final. Well, again, Australia being the major hurdle for India shattering the dream. 

The 2005 final was bittersweet for Neetu. She had done everything within her power, but her fate didn't support it. Nonetheless, her place among the tournament's best was unquestionable, and her leadership on the field earned her the admiration of peers and rivals alike.

The Transition from Player to Selector

David retired from international cricket in 2006 but did not leave the field. She had her brief outing in 2008 but soon realized her greater calling lay off the field. She played her last domestic match in 2013 for the Railways, aiding them to win the Senior Women's T20 League title.

In 2020, David was appointed as the Chair of the Women’s Selection Committee for India, on the eve of the new era in India’s women’s cricket. During her tenure, the team made rapid transitions, including the retirements of legends like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami. 

Moreover, David played a crucial role in nurturing young talents like Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh.

Beyond the Numbers: Neetu’s Everlasting Influence

David’s induction into the ICC Hall of Fame is more than just a recognition of her numbers. It is about honoring a cricketer who helped pave the way for future generations. Women’s cricket in India today stands on the shoulders of pioneers like Neetu, who fought against the odds, often without the resources or recognition their male counterparts enjoyed.

Her journey from a 17-year-old debutant to a Hall of Famer is one filled with grit, determination, and a love for the sport that transcends records. Neetu David may have left the playing field, but her legacy continues to spin its way into the future of Indian cricket.

The 13th edition of the ICC Women's ODI Cricket World Cup will begin on September 30 with co-hosts India and Sri Lanka facing off in the opening match of the tournament at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Defending champions Australia are the most successful team in the history of the Women’s World Cup having won it seven times. England have won it five times and New Zealand once.

In this article, we will have a look at the top 10 batters with most runs in ICC Women's World Cup.

Also Read: ICC Women's World Cup Past Winners & Most Successful Teams

Most Runs in ICC Women's World Cup

10. Claire Taylor | 856 runs

Claire Taylor played 19 World Cup matches and batted in 18 innings, scoring 856 runs at an impressive average of 61.14 and a strike rate of 77.11. She hit three centuries in World Cups, and her highest score of 137 not out came in a tough match against Australia, where she stood firm till the end.

She began her World Cup journey with quiet performances but quickly grew into a powerful presence in the team. In the 2009 ODI World Cup, she was at her very best. She scored 324 runs in the tournament, including one century and two fifties, and was named Player of the Tournament.

9. Harmanpreet Kaur | 876 runs

Harmanpreet Kaur has been one of the biggest match-winners for India in ODI World Cups. She has played 26 World cup matches and scored 876 runs in 22 innings with a strong average of 51.52 and a strike rate of 94.39. Her three centuries include one of the most iconic knocks in women’s cricket. Her top score of 171 not out against Australia in the 2017 semi-final is remembered as a turning point for Indian women’s cricket.

Harmanpreet began her World Cup journey in 2009, but it was in 2013 that she truly showed her talent with a fighting century against England. In 2017, her unbeaten 171 became a historic moment, making her a household name in India. That innings not only helped India reach the final but also brought women’s cricket into the spotlight.

8. Meg Lanning | 948 runs

Meg Lanning has been one of the most dependable players in the history of the ODI World Cup. She has played 22 matches and batted in all of them, scoring 948 runs at a solid average of 52.66 and a strike rate of 88.68. She has scored three centuries in ODI World Cups, with her highest score being 152 not out.

Lanning became the youngest Australian to score an international century at the age of 18. In the 2013 ODI World Cup, she was one of Australia’s leading run scorers and continued to lead from the front in future tournaments.

7. Karen Rolton | 974 runs

Karen Rolton, in her ODI World Cup career, played 28 matches and batted in 22 innings, scoring a total of 974 runs. Her batting average of 74.92 is among the best in the tournament’s history. With a strong strike rate of 85.58, she often dominated bowling attacks and helped Australia build or chase totals with ease.

Rolton scored three centuries in the ODI World Cups. Her highest score was an unbeaten 154. One of her most memorable performances came in the 2005 World Cup final, where she scored a brilliant hundred and was named Player of the Match, helping Australia lift the title.

6. Belinda Clark | 1151 runs

Belinda Clark was one of Australia’s finest players in ODI history. She played 29 matches in the Women’s World Cup and scored 1151 runs at a brilliant average of 60.57 and a strike rate of 76.77. Clark scored one century in the ODI World Cups, and that was a record-breaking 229 not out against Denmark in 1997. This knock remains one of the highest individual scores in women’s ODI history. 

In 1997, she led Australia to the World Cup title, and once again, in 2005, she guided her team to another championship win without losing a single game.

Also Read: Indian batters to score an international ton in all formats: Smriti Mandhana joins an elite list

5. Suzie Bates | 1179 runs

Suzie Bates made her international cricket debut in 2006. Since then, she has become one of New Zealand’s most reliable and attacking ODI batters. 

In the ODI World Cup, Bates has played 27 matches, scoring a total of 1179 runs at an impressive average of 56.14 and a strike rate of 84.82. She has registered four centuries, with her highest score being a breathtaking 168 off just 105 balls against Pakistan.

In the 2013 World Cup, Suzie Bates was named Player of the Tournament for her outstanding performance. She received the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award in the same year.

4. Charlotte Edwards | 1231 runs

Charlotte Edwards was one of the most successful captains in England’s ODIs. In total, Edwards played 30 ODI World Cup matches, where she scored 1231 runs at an incredible average of 53.52. She maintained a strong strike rate of 73.62 and registered four centuries, with her highest score being the unforgettable 173.

Edwards made her ODI debut at the age of 16. In 1997, she stunned the world by scoring 173* against Ireland during a World Cup match, a record-breaking innings that announced her arrival on the world stage.

As a captain, she inspired her team with confidence and focus. Her leadership helped England win the 2009 World Cup, and she remained a key figure in World Cup campaigns throughout her career.

3. Janette Brittin | 1299 runs

Janette Ann Brittin was one of the most dependable and consistent batters in the history of women’s ODI cricket. When it comes to ODI World Cups, Janette’s performance was unmatched. She played 36 World Cup matches, scoring 1299 runs at an excellent average of 43.3, with a strike rate of 60.4. She remains one of the top performers in the tournament’s history, with 4 World Cup centuries, including a best of 138*.

Overall 63 ODI matches, Brittin scored 2121 runs with a solid average of 42.42.

2. Mithali Raj | 1321 runs

Mithali Raj is one of the most iconic players in Women’s One Day Internationals. In the ODI World Cups, Mithali played in 38 matches with 1321 runs at a brilliant average of 47.17 and a strike rate of 67.67. With two centuries, including a top score of 109 and 11 match-winning fifties. 

Mithali made her ODI debut at the young age of 16. She immediately impressed everyone in her first ODI with 114*. Over the years, she became the leading run-scorer in women’s ODIs with 7805 runs. She is the first player to cross the mark of 6000 runs in ODI history. 

Notably, Mithali is the only Indian captain (male or female) to have led India into two ODI World Cup finals, in 2005 and again in 2017. During the 2017 World Cup, she scored 409 runs, finishing as India’s top scorer and the second-highest overall in the tournament.

Also Read: ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 Full Schedule announced; India to face Pakistan on October 5

1. Debbie Hockley | 1501 runs

Debbie Hockley is one of the most respected names in women’s cricket history. She participated in 45 World Cup matches, scoring 1501 runs at an impressive average of 42.88 and a strike rate of 57.16. She hit two centuries, with her highest score being an unbeaten 100.* She became the first woman to score over 1500 runs and appear in more than 40 World Cup matches, which is another record in women’s World Cup history. 

Hockley also represented New Zealand in 118 ODIs, where she scored 4064 runs and became the first woman ever to cross the 4000-run mark in this format.

South African batter Aiden Markram has won the ICC Men's Player of the Month for June 2025. Meanwhile, West Indies captain Hayley Matthews won the ICC Women's Player of the Month for June 2025. 

Markram awarded for ton in WTC final

Markram, who scored 136 off 207 balls and featured in a 147-run third wicket stand with captain Temba Bavuma in a successful chase of 282 in the World Test Championship 2025 final at Lord's. 

The South African opener helped South Africa win an ICC Title for the first time since the Champions Trophy in 1998. He also picked up a wicket in each inning of the final. 

Markram defeated Kagiso Rabada and Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka to win the ICC Men's Player of the Month for June 2025. 

 "It is a privilege to receive this award. To contribute to an ICC World Test Championship win for our team and South Africa is something that means a lot to me.

“Winning the final at Lord's is a historic moment for South African cricket, and it is something we will all remember forever. This victory was only possible due to the combined efforts of the entire team, with crucial contributions from KG (Kagiso Rabada) and Tembs (Temba Bavuma)," Markram said.

Read Also | ICC U19 World Cup 2024: Current Dream World ODI XI From Past U19 Stars

Matthews became the second player to win four Player of the Month Awards

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews, who had won the award in November 2021, October 2023 and April 2024, won the award for June 2025, beating South Africa’s Tazmin Brits and teammate Afy Fletcher. She became only the second player after Australia all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner, to win the fourth ICC Women's Player of the Month Award.

Matthews scored 104 runs in the three ODIs against South Africa, including a half-century in the third match. She also picked up four wickets in the series. She then continued her form in the T20Is, winning the Player of the Series award, with two fifties in an aggregate of 147 runs and two wickets.

West Indies went on to win the T20I series by 2-1.

 “It’s an honour to receive the Player of the Month award again. I’ve been pleased with my form recently, but more importantly, it’s been great to contribute to the team’s success—especially in a hard-fought T20I series against South Africa.

"Recognition like this is appreciated, but my focus remains on what’s ahead. There’s a lot more I want to achieve, both personally and with this team. We’re heading in the right direction, and I’m excited about where we can go from here,” Matthews expressed. 

The Indian Women's Cricket team registered their first-ever T20I series win on English soil, after taking an insurmountable lead of 3-1 in the five-match series. In the fourth match of the series, the Women in Blue defeated England by 6 wickets with 18 balls to go to seal the series in Manchester.

Indian spinners set up the game for them. Tammy Beaumont's decision to bat first was struck by the Indian spin trio of Shree Charani, Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav. England could only reach 126/7 in the first inning, which India chased down easily. 

What happened in the match? 

India were chasing history after winning the first two games of the series. But England, one of the strongest teams in the world, looked in form after winning the last game. 

However, Indian bowlers struck early, and Harmanpreet Kaur's plan to keep rotating the bowlers worked very well. Amanjot Kaur, Shree Charani, Deepti Sharma, and Arundhati Reddy all bowled one over each in the first four overs. 

Shree was able to get the wicket of Danni Wyatt-Hodge (5) in the third over, while Sophia Dunkley (22) was dismissed by Deepti in the final over of the powerplay. 

After the first two wickets, Tammy Beaumont and Alice Capsey tried to build a partnership for England. But once Radha Yadav got rid of the English captain in the 11th over, it was all about India after that. 

Sophie Ecclestone, at the end, added a quick 16 from 10 balls to take England to 126/7 in the first inning. Radha Yadav with 4-15-2 was the pick of the bowlers for India. Shree Charani also picked up two wickets for 30 for the Indian team.

During the chase, Shafali Varma gave India a flying start with her 31 from 19 balls. Although Smriti Mandhana (32) was dismissed soon after that, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur (26), along with Jemimah Rodrigues, built a 48-run partnership to take India close to the total. 

Eventually India won the match by 6 wickets with 18 balls remaining as Jemimah (24*) hit the winning runs for them. 

Radha Yadav was named the player of the match. 

Why is the ENG-W vs IND-W series win important?

The ENG-1 vs IND-W series was a stage rehearsal for the Indian Women's Cricket team as they will look to win their first-ever T20I World Cup next year in England.

So, the memories of winning their maiden T20 series here would definitely give them confidence when they come back to England next year. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the Indian Women's Cricket team squad for the upcoming England tour starting June 28th, 2025.

The Women in Blue will play five T20Is and three ODIs against the England Women's Cricket team.

Harmanpreet Kaur was named the captain of the both squads. Meantime, Smriti Mandhana was named the vice captain of the team. 

Kranti Gaud and Sayali Satghare are a few of the new names in the squad who were not part of the Tri-Nation series-winning squad for India. Shafali Verma returned to the T20I squad after missing out for a few months due to being off form.

Read Also | Most centuries by Indian cricketers in WODIs: No one is catching Smriti Mandhana

Indian Women's Cricket team squad for the England tour

India’s T20I Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare

India's ODI Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare

India's tour to England full schedule 

With another century in the tri-nation series final against Sri Lanka, Smriti Mandhana now has extended her lead in the list of Indian players with the most centuries in Women's ODIs. The left-handed opener scored a staggering 116 from 101 balls to help India score 342 in the first inning in Colombo.

Here is a list of seven women batters with the most centuries by Indian cricketers in WODIs.

Also Read: Most T20I runs for Indian Women's team: Smriti Mandhana at top

Most centuries by Indian cricketers (WODI)

7. Jaya Sharma | 2 Centuries

Former Indian batter Jaya Sharma was only the second female Indian cricketer to have scored a century in ODI cricket. She smashed two centuries in WODI cricket in her career.

While her first century had come against Pakistan during Women's Asia Cup 2005 in Karachi, she scored another one in a winning effort against Australia in 2007 in Chennai making her the first Indian women to score an ODI century at home.

The left-handed batter could've achieved the milestone a few years before had she converted a couple of nervous 90s into hundreds.

6. Jemimah Rodrigues | 2 Centuries

Jemimah Rodrigues etched her name in the record books with a blistering century as India Women posted 337/9 in 50 overs against South Africa Women in the fifth match of the Women’s Tri-Series 2025 at Colombo.

Rodrigues delivered a sensational knock of 123 runs off just 101 balls, anchoring the middle overs and setting the tone for a massive total. Her innings featured 15 fours and one six, scored at a strike rate of 121.78.

With this century, Jemimah has now joined the elite list of most centuries by Indian cricketers in WODIs. This is also Rodrigues' highest score in Women's ODIs after her 102 against Ireland Women earlier this year.

5. Thirush Kamini | 2 Centuries

Former Indian and Tamil Nadu opener Thirush Kamini played for India at a time when women's cricket wasn't really picking up in the country. Regardless, she did well in her limited opportunities and notched a ton twice in her ODI career that spanned 39 matches and scored 825 runs at an average of 25.78.

Kamini's maiden ODI hundred came in India's win over the West Indies in the 2013 ODI World Cup. She stroked a 146-ball 100 to power India to a total of 284/6 in the first innings. India won that match comfortably and Thirush Kamini was rightfully awarded the POTM award.

4. Punam Raut | 3 Centuries

The diminutive Indian batter Punam Raut was one of the pillars in Indian batting along with Harmanpreet, Smriti, Mithali and Veda Krishnmurthy. Punam has recorded three centuries in women's ODI cricket.

Punam smashed one WODI century at a home venue and two WODI centuries at neutral venues. Her highest score in this format is 109 not out against Ireland Women at Potchefstroom during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2017.

3. Harmanpreet Kaur | 6 Centuries

Indian Women's Cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur is one of the finest batters in Indian women’s cricket history. The right-handed batter has scored six WODI centuries in her career. 

Apart from three home WODI centuries, Harmanpreet also recorded two WODI hundreds at neutral venues and one more at an away venue. Her highest WODI score is 171 not out against Australia Women during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2017 semi-final.

2. Mithali Raj | 7 Centuries

Former Indian cricketer and captain Mithali Raj (7805 runs) is still the only player to score 6000 and 7000 WODI runs. The leading WODI run-scorer was the previous record holder for most centuries by Indian cricketers in WODIs.

She recorded seven WODI hundreds in her career.

While Mithali scored three WODI centuries at home, the right-handed batter recorded three WODI centuries at neutral venues and one at an away venue. Her highest WODI knock was 125 not out against Sri Lanka Women at Katunayake in 2018.

Also Read: Top 10 fastest centuries in Women's T20Is

1. Smriti Mandhana | 11 Centuries

Indian opening batter Smriti Mandhana is one of the best batters in the modern generation. The left-hander holds the record for most centuries by Indian cricketers in WODIs.

She achieved the record solely in January 2025 after scoring a 70-ball century against Ireland in the final ODI of a three-match series in Rajkot. It was her tenth WODI hundred. 

Mandhana has scored four WODI centuries at home, five WODI centuries in away venues, and two WODI hundreds at neutral venues. By scoring three out of four WODI home centuries in 2024, she also became the first Indian player to record three WODI hundreds in a calendar year.

Her record WODI score is 136 against South Africa Women in the 2024 Bengaluru WODI.