Smriti Mandhana’s wonderful journey from the small town of Sangli in Maharashtra to becoming one of the most prominent names in women’s cricket is nothing short of encouraging. Born on July 18, 1996, Smriti Mandhana developed a passion for cricket at an early age. One of the greats of the game, Jhulan Goswami shared an incident from 2014. Smriti Mandhana was a roommate of Jhulan at that time. An early morning In that Sri Lanka series Jhulan woke up with a knocking sound, it was Smriti! She was shadow batting in the morning. Jhulan was super impressed with her work ethic at that very young age.
Early signs of a glorious future
Very few people know that Smriti Mandhana was a natural right-hander. But when she was young, she copied the batting style of her brother who was a left-hander, and, like him, she started batting left-handed. The exceptional talent of Smriti did not go unnoticed, and at the early age of 11, she got selected for the Maharashtra under-15 team.
Her superb performances at the junior level caught the attention of selectors, and she was soon selected to represent the Indian national team at the age of just 16 years. In the early days for the team India showcased her great potential, and that was the indication that she had all the skills and temperament required to succeed at the highest level.
First breakthrough at the international level
It was the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup where her breakthrough moment came. Her performances in the tournament which was held in England were amazing, and she played a crucial role in India’s journey to the final. In the opening match against England, she scored 90 runs followed by a magnificent century in the next match. She became the first Indian woman to achieve that feat in a World Cup game.
Grace and Aggression: The Stylish Batting of Smriti Mandhana
One of the defining characteristics of Mandhana’s batting style is her combination of grace and aggression. She has had an incredible journey so far and the stats never lie! In 77 ODIs she played, scored 3073 runs with an amazing average of 43.28 and a strike rate of almost 84. In T20Is she played 116 matches and scored 2802 runs with an average of 27.74 and a good strike rate of 124. If we talk about test matches, in 4 tests she played till now has scored 325 runs with an average of 46.42 in which she smashed 1 century and 2 fifties.
Awards and Achievements
In her not-too-long international career, the stylish left-hander has won the ICC’s Women’s Cricketer of the Year award in 2018 and 2021. The only other female cricketer to have achieved the feat is Australian Ellyse Perry; Apart from her, only Jhulan Goswami is the other Indian woman who won this prestigious award in 2007.
The biggest bid of ₹3.4 crore, during the first Women’s Premier League (WPL) auctions was made for the dynamic southpaw Smriti Mandhana, much higher than PSL top bid.
Off the Field: Humble and Calm
Smriti Mandhana emits humility and grace Off the field, making her a loving figure among fans. She carries the weight of expectations with great maturity and calm, showing a remarkable level of professionalism. Mandhana has become a role model for all women aspiring cricketers.
Inspiring a Generation: Mandhana’s Influence on Young Cricketers
Smriti Mandhana’s performances and success on the international stage have had a profound impact on the popularity and recognition of women’s cricket in India. The ignored Indian Women’s cricket is now been seen. Her achievements have inspired a whole generation.