In an era marked by transformation in Indian women’s cricket, Smriti Mandhana stands as a beacon of excellence. Recently named Wisden’s Leading Women’s Cricketer in the World, she continues to carve her place among the legends. On May 4, she stepped onto the field for her 100th ODI, a milestone that represents more than just personal achievement—it is a testament to her enduring legacy in the sport.
Smriti’s cricketing journey began early, inspired by her brother. By the age of nine, she was selected for Maharashtra’s Under-15 team, and by eleven, she had broken into the Maharashtra Under-19 squad.
Mandhana made her international debut in April 2013 against Bangladesh in a T20I. Her breakthrough moment came when she became the first Indian woman to score a double-century in a one-day game—an unbeaten 224 off 150 balls in the West Zone Under-19 Tournament for Maharashtra against Gujarat. She also shone in the 2016 Challenger Trophy, scoring three half-centuries for India Red, including an unbeaten 62 in the final, leading her team to victory.
In 2016, Smriti made history as one of the first Indians, alongside Harmanpreet Kaur, to sign a one-year deal with Brisbane Heat for the Women’s Big Bash League. Ahead of the inaugural Women’s Premier League in 2023, she was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for a record-breaking ₹3.4 crores, making her the highest-bid player. In 2024, she led RCB to their maiden title as captain and ended the tournament as the second-highest run-scorer.
A glance at her ODI career reveals remarkable achievements. She scored her maiden international century (102 off 109 balls) during India’s tour of Australia in 2016. In the 2022/23–25 Women’s Championship cycle, she emerged as the highest run-scorer with 1358 runs. Her stellar performance in the 2017 ODI World Cup included a match-winning 90 on debut, a crucial contribution to India’s journey to the final.
Her consistency peaked in 2024 when she scored a smashed a record four centuries, amassing 747 runs—the most by any woman in a calendar year. As she stepped onto the field for her 100th ODI, Mandhana had accumulated 4288 runs at an impressive average of 46.10, with 30 fifties and 10 centuries. However, her milestone game ended in disappointment, as a mix-up resulted in her run-out after a promising 18 off 28 balls.
Most Women’s ODI appearances for India:
Mithali Raj – 232
Jhulan Goswami – 204
Harmanpreet Kaur – 144
Anjum Chopra – 127
Amita Sharma – 116
Deepti Sharma – 104
Smriti Mandhana – 100
As the vice-captain of the Indian team, Mandhana has several accolades to her name. She has twice won the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Award for ICC Cricketer of the Year (2018 and 2022) and was also named the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year in 2024. Her consistent brilliance has earned her the title of Wisden’s Leading Cricketer in the World twice.
Over time, Smriti Mandhana has enhanced her power game and solidified her role as a cornerstone of India’s batting lineup. With her ability to anchor innings and her consistent performances, she is undoubtedly one of the finest top-order batters in Indian cricket history.
