Smriti Mandhana, the elegant left-handed batter from Mumbai, has become one of the defining figures in women’s cricket over the past decade. With her graceful strokeplay, fearless approach, and consistency across formats, she has transformed from a promising domestic talent to a global superstar. In this post, we explore her journey — early beginnings, breakthrough moments, major achievements, statistical milestones, recent form, and what lies ahead for this batting dynamo.
Early Life & Domestic Foundations
Born on July 18, 1996, in Mumbai, Smriti was introduced to cricket at a young age. Growing up in a city with deep cricketing culture, she honed her skills at local nets, club matches, and age-group tournaments. Her early coaching emphasized technique and timing, two hallmarks of her batting style.
She played for Mumbai in domestic cricket and performed strongly in junior levels. Her performances in the age-group circuits caught selectors’ eyes. She made her Women’s One Day International (WODI) debut for India in April 2013 against Bangladesh. Soon after, she began to contribute in domestic T20s and List A matches, developing a style blending aggression with finesse. These foundations in Mumbai’s domestic setup shaped her discipline and shot selection under pressure.
Breakthroughs & Early International Success
Smriti’s breakthrough came in the international arena when she started impressing in both ODIs and T20Is in her early years. A notable early highlight was her performance in the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup opener: she scored 90 off 72 balls against England, laying the groundwork for India’s impressive campaign that year.
Her flair, ability to handle pace and spin, and capacity to take the attack to bowlers helped her stand out. Over time, she became a regular opener for India. Performances in bilateral series, as well as for her franchise in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), further enhanced her reputation.
Major Awards & Record-Breaking Seasons
Smriti Mandhana’s journey is dotted with several landmark achievements:
- ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024: Smriti Mandhana won this accolade on the back of a stellar year, where she amassed 747 runs in 13 innings at an average of ~57.46, including 4 ODI centuries.
- Most international runs in a calendar year: She set a new record in 2024 by aggregating 1,602 runs across formats — breaking the previous high set by Laura Wolvaardt. She also became the leading run scorer for India in both ODIs and T20Is that year.
- First Indian woman to score centuries in all three formats (Test, ODI, T20I). Her maiden T20I hundred against England at Trent Bridge in 2025 secured this unique distinction.
- Top impact player ahead of the 2025 Women’s World Cup: According to CricViz’s Match Impact model, Mandhana leads globally with a +861.6 impact score in ODIs since the 2022 World Cup, reflecting her high performance in crucial games.
These achievements not only testify to her batting prowess but also to her ability to perform consistently under pressure.
Playing Style & Strengths
Smriti’s batting is a blend of classical technique and innovative shotmaking. Here are some facets of her style that make her special:
- Elegance and timing: Her cover drives, cuts, and lofted drives are often described as poetry. She combines timing with sweet placement rather than just brute force.
- Comfortable against all types of bowling: Spinners and medium pace; she handles short balls well, steps out when needed, plays late.
- Aggression without recklessness: Smriti often starts cautiously but accelerates as she settles—great for setting foundation or finishing strong.
- Mental toughness: Whether in foreign conditions (Australia, England) or under burden of expectations, she has delivered big innings. Recent hundred in Perth in 2024, despite team loss, is proof.
Her growth as vice-captain shows her increasing leadership qualities as well.
Smriti Mandhana Career Stats
International
| Format | Mat | Inn | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 100s | 50s |
| WTests | 7 | 12 | 629 | 149 | 57.18 | 63.72 | 2 | 3 |
| WODIs | 108 | 108 | 4,888 | 136 | 47.92 | 89.84 | 13 | 32 |
| WT20Is | 153 | 147 | 3,982 | 112 | 29.94 | 123.97 | 1 | 31 |
T20 League / Tournament Stats
| Tournament | Team(s) | Mat | Inn | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 100s | 50s |
| WPL | RCB-W | 26 | 26 | 646 | 81 | 24.84 | 128.68 | 0 | 4 |
| WBBL | 4 Teams | 43 | 41 | 928 | 114* | 25.08 | 131.81 | 1 | 5 |
| Women’s 100 (SB-W) | SB-W | 29 | 29 | 676 | 78 | 26.00 | 139.09 | 0 | 5 |
Additional Highlights & Records
- In 2024, Smriti Mandhana scored 1,602 international runs across formats – the most by any woman in a calendar year.
- In WT20Is during 2024 alone, she scored 763 runs, again the highest that year.
- She became the fastest Indian woman to reach 4,000 WODI runs, getting there in just ~95 innings.
- As of mid-2025, she has crossed ~11 WODI hundreds.
Statistical Milestones & Recent Form
Here are key stats and recent performance trends giving insight into her rise:
| Metric | Value / Achievement |
| 2024 ODI Runs | 747 in 13 innings, average ~57.5. |
| ODI Centuries in 2024 | 4 centuries — record for most ODI hundreds by a woman in a single calendar year. |
| T20I Runs in 2024 | 763 runs — highest by any player in women’s T20Is in a calendar year. |
| Fastest ODI century by an Indian woman | Scored against Australia — record-breaking pace in recent ODIs. |
| Most impactful batter ahead of WC 2025 | +861.6 in CricViz Match Impact score since 2022 WC. |
Her 2025 form remains strong, with a blazing century in Australia although the team lost, showing she still delivers even in opposition conditions.
Challenges & Growth Areas
Even stars have hurdles. Below are some areas of challenge and growth for Smriti Mandhana:
- Handling pressure in huge matches: While many of her big scores have been match-defining, there have also been moments where expectations weighed heavily.
- Conversion of starts: Like many batters, sometimes starts haven’t been converted into big hundreds.
- Format adaptability: Although she has centuries in all formats, balancing red-ball (Test matches) and limited overs will require continuous adaptation.
- Global exposure / away conditions: Playing in faster, swinging, or bouncy tracks (Australia, England) continues to test players. Smriti has had success but every tour brings challenge.
Her ability to learn from setbacks, to adapt, and to continue improving shot selection, fitness, and temperament speaks to her maturity.
Significance Beyond Numbers
Smriti Mandhana’s rise is not just about stats. She symbolizes several deeper trends in women’s cricket:
- Inspiration for younger players: Especially in Mumbai / Maharashtra and across India; her journey shows local academies plus dedication can lead to global success.
- Increasing visibility for women’s cricket: Her performances help attract viewership, sponsorships, and support for the women’s game.
- Changing role expectations: Women batters are expected not just to be defensive openers but dynamic game-changers. Smriti plays that role.
- Leadership & responsibility: As vice-captain, she is part of team culture shaping, mentoring young talent, helping India build depth.
Role in Women’s Premier League & Franchise Cricket
Smriti Mandhana’s presence in the WPL (Women’s Premier League) has also elevated her global profile:
- She captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru and led them to their first WPL title.
- Her striking performances for BPL or IPL-like franchises provide exposure under pressure, helping build match temperament and adaptability.
- Franchise cricket also allows her to face varied bowling attacks, sharpen fielding skills, and improve power hitting for T20s.
These experiences complement her international duty, giving her more innings, more challenges, and more moments to grow.
Looking Ahead: World Cup 2025 & Beyond
With the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 on the horizon, expectations from Smriti Mandhana are sky-high. She enters the tournament:
- As one of India’s most reliable openers.
- In great form, having smashed fastest ODI centuries, multiple tons in 2024, and recent impactful scores.
- As vice-captain, offering leadership on and off the field.
Fans will watch for whether she can convert her impact into a global title for India. Questions abound: Can she anchor chases under pressure? Can she continue her boundary-hitting while preserving wicket? Can she deliver in conditions abroad?
Her future also includes more Test cricket, possibly more leadership responsibilities, greater brand influence, and continued role as a role model to girls across India who aspire to bat with the elegance and courage she embodies.
Conclusion
Smriti Mandhana’s story from local grounds in Mumbai to becoming one of the world’s leading batters is a model of continuous progress, excellence, and purpose. Her combined skills—touch, timing, fearless aggression—and her record-breaking feats across formats mark her as one of the defining faces of modern women’s cricket.
Her milestones—fastest centuries, most international runs, centuries in all formats, Player of Year awards—are impressive. Yet perhaps more impressive is the way she carries herself: resilient, ambitious, grounded. As we look forward to major tournaments like World Cup 2025 and beyond, the cricketing world will see Mandhana not just chase records, but inspire a generation, raise the standards, and help bring Indian women’s cricket even closer to global glory.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When did Smriti Mandhana make her international debut?
She made her WODI debut in April 2013 against Bangladesh.
How many ODI centuries has Smriti Mandhana scored?
As of mid-2025, Smriti has scored 11 ODI centuries.
What is special about her 2024 season?
In 2024 she scored a record four ODI centuries, tallied 747 ODI runs at excellent average, and also recorded 763 T20I runs. It was her most prolific year.
Has Smriti Mandhana scored centuries in all international formats?
Yes. In 2025, she became the first Indian woman to have scored centuries in all three formats: Test, ODI, and T20I.
What awards has Smriti Mandhana won recently?
She won the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2024 and BCCI’s Best International Woman Cricketer multiple times.
What is her “Match Impact” score?
Using data from CricViz, her Match Impact score in ODIs since the 2022 World Cup is +861.6—top among batters globally.
Where does she get stronger?
She has continually improved in away conditions, power-hitting, converting starts to big hundreds, and accumulating consistency. Her recent century in Australia is an indicator
What does her rise mean for Indian Women’s Cricket?
Her success is raising visibility, inspiring young players, increasing fan interest, and helping India build a deeper batting lineup and more competitive edge globally.
Is Rashmika Mandhana and Smriti Mandhana being sisters?
No, Rashmika Mandanna and Smriti Mandhana are not sisters. While they share the same surname, there is no familial relationship between them.
Is Smriti Mandhana in a relationship?
Yes, Smriti Mandhana is in a long-term relationship with music composer and director Palash Muchhal.
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