ICC launch women’s T20I team ranking, Indian team placed at number five

Women’s cricket had always followed a combined ranking when it came to International cricket teams, unlike men’s section. However, a decision in the early stages of 2018 to award international status to all T20 matches between member countries, prompted them to prepare a women’s T20I team ranking list as well.

They announced the rankings recently, and team India find themselves placed fifth in the overall list with a total of 249 points. Three-time world champions Australia lead the 46-team table in the rankings that were made public on Friday. 

Prior to this, all women’s T20 matches between members have had international status since the Asia Cup in June. Australia, who were top-ranked in the combined rankings system, are now ranked number one in both forms of the game and lead their all-time rivals and neighbours Zealand by three-points in the T20I table.

Australia are on 280 points, while New Zealand on 277 and third on the list - England are just one point behind at 276 points. The West Indies women’s team, who will defend their ICC Women’s World T20 title at home from November 9 to 24 next month, are ranked fourth with 259 points and India are 10 points behind at number five.

The next five teams in the list are South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Ireland, in that order. These teams complete the lineup for the ICC World T20I event next month.

The overall list includes nine teams from Europe, 14 from Asia, 13 from Africa, four each from East Asia Pacific and the Americas, excluding Australia and the West Indies.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur supported this initiative saying, “I’m sure these rankings will encourage more countries to play the game regularly and teams will get a good idea of where they stand in the global context. Players always take interest in the ICC rankings as they are a true reflection of where teams and players stand."