By Maksuda Lisa (Dhaka Bureau)
A World Cup is always a grand carnival of cricket- a stage for the rise of stars, the birth of new fairytales, and a time when record books are rewritten. The ongoing 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England is proving to be no exception. Although the group stage battles are far from over, the thrilling contest between bat and ball has already set the global stage alight. While some are keeping their team’s dreams alive with the bat, others are dismantling opposition batting lineups with the ball. Midway through the tournament, the game’s elite performers have firmly established their dominance.
Mandhana’s Consistency and De Leede’s Surprise Elements
The most consistent and aggressive performer with the bat in this World Cup has been India’s opener, Smriti Mandhana. Leading the run-scoring charts, she has amassed 159 runs in 3 matches. Capitalizing effectively on the powerplay restrictions to pressure opponents, alongside her ability to build big innings, she has proved exactly why she is rated as one of the world’s best on the big stage.
Meanwhile, the tournament’s biggest surprise package sits in second place: the Netherlands’ Babette de Leede. Despite representing an associate nation, she has accumulated 134 runs in 3 matches, demonstrating that confidence knows no boundaries against elite teams. Her patient, well-planned batting approach has caught everyone’s attention.
Top 5 Run-Scorers of the Tournament:
* Smriti Mandhana (India)-159.
* Babette de Leede (Netherlands)- 134.
* Shemaine Campbelle (West Indies)- 130.
* Danni Wyatt-Hodge (England)- 128.
* Nilakshika Silva (Sri Lanka)-123.
Atapattu’s Magical Century and the Half-Century Hustle
Even though she does not occupy the top spot on the aggregate run chart, the most destructive and visually stunning batting display so far came from the blade of Sri Lankan captain Chamari Atapattu. She blasted an unbeaten, epic knock of 106 off just 61 balls against Ireland. This stands as the first century of this World Cup edition and the highest individual score so far.
Concurrently, the race for half-centuries remains intensely competitive. Smriti Mandhana, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Babette de Leede, Ellyse Perry, and Chamari Atapattu have all made vital contributions to their teams’ victories with crucial fifties, underscoring their ability to control the tempo of a match.
Shreya Charnie’s Reign and Deepti’s Spin Wizardry
Amidst the heavy dominance of the batters, the bowlers have carved out their own sharp presence. India’s left-arm spinner Shreya Charnie sits isolated at the top of the wicket-taking list. Securing 10 wickets in just 3 matches, she is currently the most successful bowler of the tournament. Her precise line and length, variations, and knack for picking up wickets under pressure have set her apart.
West Indies’ Aaliyah Alleyne follows in second place with 8 wickets. Right behind her, locked at 7 wickets each, are Hayley Matthews, Sophie Ecclestone, and Pakistan’s Fatima Sana, all leading their respective bowling units with distinction.
However, the definitive bowling spell of this World Cup belongs to India’s Deepti Sharma. The off-spinner single-handedly turned the game on its head against arch-rivals Pakistan, conceding a mere 10 runs to claim 5 wickets. This remarkable feat marks the first five-wicket haul of the tournament and remains the best bowling analysis to date.
Waiting for the Final Act
As the group stage matches head toward their climax, individual rivalries are intensifying. Will Smriti Mandhana hold onto her top spot? Will Chamari Atapattu’s 106 remain the highest individual score of the tournament? Or will Shreya Charnie’s wicket-taking spree break new world records?
The answers await in the upcoming fixtures. One thing, however, is already crystal clear: the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is not merely a battle for team supremacy; it has transformed into an unparalleled global stage for the world’s best women cricketers to showcase their peak abilities. For now, the brightest stars on that stage remain Smriti Mandhana, Chamari Atapattu, Shreya Charnie, and Deepti Sharma.
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The Writer:
Maksuda Lisa: Staff Correspondent, Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau.
