Sophie Ecclestone

Sophie Ecclestone is the undisputed queen of spin, currently maintaining her status as the world's No. 1 ranked ODI bowler. Born on May 6, 1999, in Chester, England, the 6-foot-tall left-arm orthodox spinner has become a generational talent known for her metronomic accuracy and deceptive flight. Her 2025 season was another masterclass in dominance; she finished as England's leading wicket-taker in the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup with 12 wickets, including a match-winning 4/17 against Sri Lanka. During the tournament, she also became the second-highest wicket-taker for England in ODI history, surpassing Jenny Gunn. Earlier in the year, she was honored as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year, a fitting tribute to a player who has anchored the world's top bowling rankings for over five years.

In the franchise circuit, Ecclestone remains the gold standard for overseas specialists. At the 2026 Women’s Premier League mega auction in late 2025, she was the subject of a fierce tug-of-war between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals. However, the UP Warriorz showed their unwavering commitment to their star spinner by exercising their Right to Match (RTM) card to bring her back for ₹85 lakh—widely considered one of the 'steals' of the auction given her world-class pedigree. Beyond her lethal bowling, she has evolved into a dangerous lower-order 'finisher,' capable of clearing the boundary with ease. As she heads into the 2026 season alongside teammates like Deepti Sharma and Meg Lanning, Ecclestone continues to be the most feared spinner in the global game.