Women’s cricket continues to scale new heights, and 2025 further underlined how far the game has come.
Fast-paced contests, rising broadcast numbers across television and OTT platforms, and consistently packed stadiums have turned women’s cricket into a mainstream sporting product. The quality on the field has matched the growing attention, with bowlers in particular playing a decisive role in shaping matches across formats.
The white-ball game in 2025 saw bowlers adapting impressively to varied conditions, smarter batters, and increasingly aggressive scoring patterns. From associate nations making their presence felt to established stars reinforcing their dominance, the year belonged to those who could strike at key moments. Here is a closer look at the top five wicket-takers in Women’s T20Is and ODIs in 2025, and what set them apart.
Top Five Wicket-Takers in Women’s T20Is (2025)
1. Thipatcha Putthawong (Thailand): Thipatcha Putthawong’s rise has been one of the most compelling stories of the year. Representing Thailand, an associate nation, the left-arm orthodox spinner consistently troubled batters with her flight, control, and ability to extract turn even on placid surfaces. Putthawong’s calm temperament and clarity of role allowed her to attack without leaking runs.
In 2025, she finished as the leading wicket-taker in Women’s T20Is, claiming 56 wickets in just 27 matches. Her standout performance came with sensational figures of 5/6, while her economy rate of 3.57 highlighted her ability to combine control with penetration.
2. Sophie Ecclestone (England): Few bowlers in world cricket can dictate the tempo of an innings like Sophie Ecclestone. The England left-arm spinner once again demonstrated why she is considered the gold standard in T20 bowling. Her accuracy, subtle variations in flight, and ability to draw false shots in the middle overs made her England’s go-to wicket-taker.
Ecclestone ended 2025 with 47 wickets from 40 T20Is, with best figures of 4/12. More than the raw numbers, it was her consistency across conditions that stood out, whether on flat batting tracks or slower, turning surfaces.
3. Annabel Sutherland (Australia): Annabel Sutherland’s evolution as a white-ball bowler continued in 2025. The Australian all-rounder used her height, seam movement, and clever changes of pace to unsettling effect. Often deployed during crucial phases, Sutherland had a knack for breaking partnerships just when the opposition looked set.
She picked up 47 wickets in 37 T20Is, with best figures of 4/8, reinforcing her value as a genuine wicket-taking option rather than just a containing seamer.
4. Amelia Kerr (New Zealand): Amelia Kerr’s wrist-spin remains one of the most difficult challenges for batters in T20 cricket. Her ability to mix quicker deliveries with well-disguised googlies kept batters guessing throughout the year. Kerr’s control over her variations ensured she remained effective even when batters looked to attack.
In 2025, she claimed 46 wickets in 40 T20Is, including a five-wicket haul with best figures of 5/38, underlining her match-winning potential.
5. Alana King (Australia): Alana King continued to be a reliable match-winner for Australia in the shortest format. Bowling quicker through the air and adjusting her length smartly, King consistently forced batters into mistakes. Her leg-spin proved effective across different conditions, especially when used in attacking spells.
She finished the year with 43 wickets in 38 T20Is, with best figures of 3/17, contributing significantly to Australia’s dominance.
Top Five Wicket-Takers in Women’s ODIs (2025)
1. Deepti Sharma (India): Deepti Sharma stood out as the most effective bowler in Women’s ODIs in 2025. The Indian all-rounder combined control, tactical awareness, and the ability to strike at crucial moments. Her performance during the limited-overs World Cup highlighted her value, particularly her skill with the old ball and her ability to dismantle partnerships.
Deepti topped the ODI wicket charts with 39 wickets in 23 matches, including a best of 5/39, reaffirming her status as one of the finest spinners in modern women’s cricket.
2. Nonkululeko Mlaba (South Africa): Nonkululeko Mlaba emerged as a key figure in South Africa’s ODI setup. The left-arm spinner’s ability to bowl attacking lines in the powerplay and maintain control through the middle overs made her a consistent wicket-taking option.
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Mlaba claimed 35 wickets in 19 ODIs in 2025, with best figures of 4/33, showcasing her growing maturity and importance in the South African bowling attack.
3. Sophie Ecclestone (England): Ecclestone’s impact extended seamlessly into the 50-over format. Her variations, combined with relentless accuracy, made run-scoring difficult and wickets inevitable. Whether bowling early or operating through long spells, she remained England’s most dependable bowler.
She picked up 28 wickets in just 13 ODIs, with best figures of 4/17, underlining her effectiveness across formats.
4. Sneh Rana (India): Sneh Rana’s consistency with the old ball stood out in 2025. Her unorthodox off-spin, driven by a strong wrist position and subtle variations, troubled even well-set batters. Rana’s ability to adapt her pace and trajectory made her particularly effective in the latter half of innings.
She finished with 28 wickets in 17 ODIs, including a five-wicket haul with best figures of 5/43.
5. Alana King (Australia): Alana King rounded off a strong white-ball year with impressive performances in ODIs. Her leg-spin, quicker deliveries, and sharp turn proved effective on both turning tracks and in helpful seam conditions.
King claimed 25 wickets in 13 ODIs in 2025, with a remarkable best of 7/18, capping off a year that reinforced her reputation as one of Australia’s most consistent white-ball performers.
Together, these bowlers defined 2025 in women’s white-ball cricket, combining skill, adaptability, and temperament to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.
