Delhi, August 4th, 2023: Smriti Mandhana, the exceptional opener hailing from India, has etched an unforgettable legacy in the realm of women’s cricket, showcasing unparalleled talent and extraordinary skills. A prized asset for Team India, she has consistently played pivotal roles in crucial matches, consistently displaying her prowess on the cricket field. Her illustrious career spans across formats, firmly inscribing her name in the annals of cricket history.
The year 2017 marked the pinnacle of Smriti’s batting brilliance, propelling India to the World Cup finals with her remarkable innings. Recognizing her outstanding performances, she was bestowed with the title of ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year in 2021, achieving this prestigious honor for the second time. Additionally, she clinched the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy, adding another illustrious feather to her cap.
In the realm of exceptional accomplishments, Smriti stands alongside the veteran cricketer Jhulan Goswami, being the only two players to have received multiple annual ICC awards. Her remarkable talent and consistent displays have rightfully earned her these distinguished accolades. Moreover, her nomination for the Women’s T20I Player of the Year in 2021 reinforces her enduring impact on the cricketing arena.
Born on July 18th, 1996, into a Marwari family in Mumbai, Smriti Mandhana’s tryst with cricket began under the influence of her brother Shravan Mandhana, a participant in the Maharashtra state Under-16 tournaments. With her father having been a district-level player, cricket was truly in the family’s DNA. Impressively, she secured a place in Maharashtra’s Under-15 team at the tender age of nine, and by the age of eleven, she had earned a spot in the state’s Under-19 team.
Smriti’s potential shone through from a young age, as she made headlines by notching a double century in one-day cricket during the West Zone Under-19 tournament, thereby becoming the first female cricketer to achieve this remarkable feat. Her debut on the international stage for India came in 2013, as she made appearances in both T20I and ODI formats against Bangladesh. In 2014, her versatility across formats came to the fore as she marked her debut in Test cricket against England.
Acknowledging her consistently impressive performances, Smriti was appointed as the captain of India’s Women’s T20I squad for a three-match series against England in February 2019. Remarkably, at just 22 years of age, she assumed the role of the youngest T20I captain for India, a testament to her exceptional leadership potential.
