The Inspiring Journey of Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana isn’t just a cricketer, she’s an INSPIRATION. Her story is one of passion, dedication, and pure talent, taking her from playing with her brother in the backyard to becoming a superstar batswoman for India.

Born in Mumbai, Smriti’s cricketing journey began in Sangli, Maharashtra, where she moved with her family when she was just two. Cricket was in her blood – her father played at the district level, and her brother Shravan was a rising star in the U-16 tournaments for Maharashtra. It was watching her brother chase his cricketing dreams that sparked a fire in young Smriti’s heart.

 

Sharpening her Skills and Early Success

She started honing her skills under coach Anant Tambwekar, impressing everyone with her natural talent. By the age of nine, she was already playing for the Maharashtra Under-15 team, and at just eleven, she was fast-tracked to the Under-19s. Cricket wasn’t always easy, though. At 15, she had to choose between her love for science and the demands of cricket. Later she opted for commerce, allowing her to dedicate more time to the sport she loved.

 

International Debut and Rise to Stardom

In 2013, Smriti made her international debut for India in a T20 match against Bangladesh. Interestingly, her debut bat was actually a signed practice bat gifted by legend Rahul Dravid! It turned out to be a lucky charm, as she went on to smash the first double-hundred by an Indian woman in a one-day match for Maharashtra against Gujarat just months later.

Since then, Smriti has become a backbone in the Indian batting line-up. She’s shared historic wins with legends like Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur and has numerous records under her belt, including the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian woman (a record she’s broken twice).

Her achievements aren’t limited to the international stage. In 2023, she became the highest-paid player in the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) and went on to lead her team, Royal Challengers Bangalore, to victory in the 2024 season!

 

Leading with Calm Confidence

This victory wasn’t just about individual brilliance, but also about Smriti’s exceptional leadership. Experts like Ellyse Perry credited the team’s new coach, Luke Williams, for fostering a sense of calm, which Smriti effectively translated into her captaincy style. Throughout the high-pressure playoffs and the championship match itself, Smriti remained composed, guiding her team with strategic timeouts, words of encouragement, and a cool head under pressure.

 

Composure Under Pressure

During the chase, while other batters might have gone for big shots, Smriti played a mature innings of 31 runs from 39 balls, ensuring RCB didn’t lose wickets unnecessarily. Even after her dismissal, she remained calm and supportive, the last one to join the victory celebrations, but the first to congratulate the team behind the scenes.

Smriti Mandhana’s leadership throughout the WPL was a masterclass in captaincy propelling the Royal Challengers Bangalore (Women) to their first-ever title.

 

A Bright Future

At just over 27 years old, Smriti Mandhana’s journey is far from over. She’s an inspiration to aspiring cricketers, especially young girls, proving that dedication and passion can take you to incredible heights. Here’s to many more years of watching Smriti bat magic and take Indian women’s cricket to even greater glory!

 

Smriti Mandhana Records And Achievements

1. Second cricketer after Australia’s Ellyse Perry to win the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award (Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award) twice.

2. Joint-fastest T20 50 in women’s cricket with New Zealand’s Sophie Devine (18 balls).

3. Fastest T20I 50 by an Indian woman (23 balls).

4. Third Indian woman to score 2,000 runs in T20I cricket.

5. Sixth Indian woman to score 2,000 runs in ODI cricket.

6. First cricketer to score 10 consecutive 50-plus scores while chasing in ODI cricket.

7. First Indian women’s cricketer to score an ODI and Test century in Australia.

8. First Indian woman to score a double century in 50-over cricket (Maharashtra vs Gujarat)

9. Commonwealth Games 2022 silver medal winner

10. Asian Games 2023 gold medal winner

11. Led RCB to WPL 2024 title