New Delhi

Shafali Verma has moved up two places to sixth in the latest International Cricket Council Women’s T20I batting rankings after her strong showing against South Africa Women's Cricket Team in the ongoing five-match series.

The Indian opener scored a brisk 57 off 38 deliveries in the second T20I at Durban last Sunday. Despite her effort, India suffered an eight-wicket defeat and fell 0-2 behind in the series. In the opening match at the same venue, she had also contributed 34 runs.

Meanwhile, India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana slipped one place to fourth after modest scores of 13 and 12 in the first two games. She has been overtaken by Hayley Matthews, who now occupies the third position.

Harmanpreet Kaur gained two spots and is now ranked 11th, just outside the top 10. The India captain had scored an unbeaten 47 in the opening T20I.

Another Indian batter, Jemimah Rodrigues, dropped four places to 14th after a below-par run in recent matches.

The series is being viewed as important preparation for both teams ahead of the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to begin in June in England and Wales.

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt retained fifth place after scoring a half-century in the second T20I. Her teammates also made gains, with Annerie Dercksen jumping 18 spots to 33rd and Sune Luus rising eight places to 35th.

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In the bowling rankings, India’s Deepti Sharma dropped two places to fifth, while Renuka Singh Thakur slipped four spots to ninth. Arundhati Reddy fell out of the top 10 after moving down three places to 12th.