Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana

From a childhood prodigy to a global superstar, Smriti Mandhana's journey in cricket is one of sheer brilliance and unwavering passion. This left-handed opening batswoman, armed with her graceful strokes and an insatiable hunger for runs, has carved her name into the history books, becoming the first Indian woman to score a century in both Tests and ODIs in Australia. Nicknamed "Mandhana," her style marries elegance with power, mesmerizing crowds with her repertoire of cover drives, flicks, and pulls. Beyond the boundaries, she leads with quiet confidence, captaining Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Women's Premier League and serving as the vice-captain of the Indian women's national team. A World Cup century, an ICC Cricketer of the Year award, and a gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games are just a few feathers in her already illustrious cap. But for Mandhana, the biggest win lies in inspiring a generation of young girls to dream big and claim their place on the cricket field.

History

Smriti Mandhana, the name synonymous with elegance and power in women's cricket, wasn't born with a silver bat in hand. Her journey began in the dusty backyards of Sangli, Maharashtra, where a young girl, inspired by her brother's passion, picked up a bat at the tender age of nine. Little did anyone know, this spark would ignite a fire that would illuminate the world stage.

Early Steps and Breakthrough: 

Born on July 18, 1996, in Mumbai, Mandhana's cricketing journey found its roots in Sangli, where she honed her skills under coach Anant Tambwekar. By 11, she was representing Maharashtra's U-19 team, her talent blossoming with each passing match.  A turning point came not just with her own dedication, but also with a nudge from cricketing legend Rahul Dravid. Her brother, Shravan, managed to get a personalized, signed practice bat from Dravid. Though meant as a keepsake, the young Smriti found an unmatched balance in the bat, defying convention and choosing it for her playing bat. This "special bat" became a lucky charm, propelling her to smash an unbeaten 224 in a one-day game in 2013, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve a double century in the format. This feat propelled her into the national spotlight, paving the way for her international debut in 2014.

International Rise and Recognition: 

Mandhana's international debut was a success, scoring 39 runs in her first T20I against Bangladesh. Soon after, she secured her maiden ODI century in just her second match against Australia, showcasing her immense potential. Her elegant strokeplay and calm demeanour quickly won hearts, earning her a place in the ICC Women's Team of the Year in 2016. Mandhana's career is a testament to her dedication and talent. She became the first Indian woman to score a century in both Tests and ODIs in Australia, a feat achieved in 2021. Her accolades include two ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year awards (2018, 2021) and the ICC Women's ODI Player of the Year award (2018). She also holds the record for the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian woman, achieved in a thrilling semi-final against England at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Beyond Statistics:

But Mandhana's impact transcends statistics. She is a role model for young girls, inspiring them to chase their dreams in a sport traditionally dominated by men. Her leadership qualities are evident in her captaincy stint for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Women's Premier League and her role as the vice-captain of the Indian national team. With a long career ahead, Mandhana's hunger for runs and victories remains insatiable. Her elegance on the field, combined with her aggressive spirit, promises many more milestones in the years to come. As she continues to redefine batting excellence, one graceful shot at a time, the world eagerly awaits what the future holds for this exceptional cricketer.

Teams

Domestic Teams:

• Maharashtra: Mandhana's cricketing roots lie in Maharashtra, where she represented the state team from a young age. Her talent shone early, securing her place in the U-15 and U-19 sides.

International Teams:

• India: This is where Mandhana truly shines. Since her debut in 2013, she has become a mainstay in the Indian women's cricket team across all formats (ODIs, Tests, and T20Is). Her elegance and power have helped India achieve numerous victories, including a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games.

Franchise Teams:

• Western Storm (Kia Super League, 2018): Mandhana was the first Indian woman to play in the Kia Super League, joining Western Storm in 2018. While injuries limited her playing time, she made a notable impact.

• Hobart Hurricanes (Women's Big Bash League, 2018-19, 2021-22): She signed with the Hobart Hurricanes in the WBBL, showcasing her talent on the Australian pitches.

• Southern Brave (The Hundred, 2021): In the inaugural season of The Hundred, Mandhana joined Southern Brave, contributing valuable runs before leaving for an India tour.

• Sydney Thunder (Women's Big Bash League, 2021-22): Representing the Sydney Thunder in the WBBL, Mandhana even scored a century, displaying her dominance in the format.

• Royal Challengers Bangalore (Women's Premier League, 2023): When the Women's Premier League arrived in India, Mandhana became the highest-paid player, joining Royal Challengers Bangalore. As captain, she leads the team with her experience and skill.

Stats

The name Smriti Mandhana conjures images of willow meeting leather with a symphony of grace and power. But beyond the aesthetics, her story unfolds in the language of numbers – a statistical saga of sheer brilliance. Dive into the data that illuminates her remarkable journey:

Career Batting and Fielding Stats: 

Format	Mat	Runs	Highest	Avg	S/R	100	50	Catches
WTest	6	480	127	48.00	58.11	1	3	2
WODI	82	3242	135	42.65	83.47	5	26	26
WT20I	128	3104	87	27.46	121.53	0	23	29
WPL	8	149	37	18.62	111.19	0	0	4
WBBL	38	784	114	24.5	130.02	1	4	12

Career Bowling Stats:

Format	Mat	Overs	Runs	Wickets	Avg	Eco	5w	Best
WTest	6	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
WODI	82	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
WT20I	128	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
WPL	8	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
WBBL	38	4.3	17	3	5.67	3.78	0	2/6