Mandhana, Deepti make it to women’s ODI Team of the Year

Dubai: Indian woman superstar batter Smriti Mandhana and all-rounder Deepti Sharm made it to ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year led by South Africa batter Laura Wolvaardt.

Mandhana had finished as the highest run-scorer in women’s ODIs with an impressive tally of 747 runs in just 13 matches. Her year began modestly with a 29-run knock against Australia in January. However, after a six-month hiatus from ODIs, Mandhana returned to action against South Africa in blistering form.

Her consistency was evident once again in October when she ended a shaky series against New Zealand with a stunning century, becoming India’s most prolific century-maker in women’s ODIs. She capped off the year with another century at the WACA against Australia and delivered a strong showing against the West Indies, narrowly missing a hundred but contributing two half-centuries.

Deepti Sharma was India’s standout bowler, claiming 24 wickets in 13 matches while also contributing 186 runs. Her 6/31 against the West Indies in December was one of the year’s best performances, highlighting her ability to turn games single-handedly.

Laura Wolvaardt, who leads the team, had the year 2024 marked by dominance and elegance, as she amassed 697 runs in just 12 matches. After a slow start against Australia, she burst into form with an unbeaten 110 and a career-best 184* against Sri Lanka in April. Wolvaardt’s golden run continued against India, where she smashed a run-a-ball 135 in Bengaluru and added a half-century in the final match of the series. She ended the year with two crucial fifties against England, cementing her place as one of the top ODI performers of 2024.

Others in the team are Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka, Hayley Matthews of West Indies, Marizanne Kapp of South Africa, Ashleigh Gardner and Annabel Sutherland of Australia, Amy Jones, Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone of England.