Scoring 224 runs off 150 balls during an October 2013 West Zone under-19 tournament match, Smriti Mandhana established herself as a significant talent. This performance against the Gujarat under-19 team marked the first time an Indian woman recorded a double-century in a List A match, setting a standard for her future international career in the sport.
Early Development and Domestic Rise
Born in 1996 in Mumbai to Smita and Shrinivas Mandhana, she relocated to Madhavnagar near Sangli at the age of two. Her interest in cricket emerged from watching her brother participate in junior state competitions. By age nine, she secured a position on the Maharashtra under-15 team, followed by the under-19 squad two years later. She remains an active representative for Maharashtra in domestic fixtures.
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Mandhana made her international debut in April 2013 during a series against Bangladesh. In 2014, she participated in a Test match victory against England at Wormsley, contributing 22 and 51 runs. Her first international century occurred in 2016 at Hobart against Australia. Despite an anterior cruciate ligament injury in early 2017, she recovered to play in the Women's Cricket World Cup later that year, where she earned player of the match honors against England.
Global League Participation
Her career includes extensive engagement with international franchise leagues. She joined Brisbane Heat for the 2016 WBBL season and subsequently played for Hobart Hurricanes, Sydney Thunder, and Adelaide Strikers. In European competitions, she represented Western Storm in the Women's Cricket Super League and Southern Brave in The Hundred. She also led the Trailblazers in the Women's T20 Challenge from 2019 through 2022, securing the 2020 title.
Leadership and Recognition
As a captain, Mandhana led the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Women's Premier League titles in both 2024 and 2026. Her individual accolades are numerous, including the 2018 Arjuna Award. She received ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year honors in 2018 and 2021, and the WODI Cricketer of the Year award in 2018 and 2024. Additionally, Wisden named her the Women's Leading Cricketer in the World for 2024.
Fast facts
- Born: 18 July 1996, Mumbai
- Citizenship: India
- Education: Chintaman Rao College of Commerce
- Arjuna Award: 2018
- WPL Titles as Captain: 2024, 2026
- International Debut: April 2013
Questions readers ask
Did Mandhana win any ICC awards?
Yes, she won the ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year in 2018 and 2021, and the ICC WODI Cricketer of the Year in 2018 and 2024.
Which team does she lead in the Women's Premier League?
She serves as the captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
