The lush greens of Kennington Oval, London, became a silent witness as Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, with an elegant drive down to long off, etched her name in the annals of cricketing greatness.
On the day when India took on England in the 3rd T20I of the ongoing white-ball series, Mandhana’s single on the 5th ball of the 4th over, bowled by Charlie Dean, was more than just a run, it was a milestone that marked her entry into an elite club: 9,000 runs in international cricket, becoming only the 2nd Indian after former skipper Mithali Raj to do so. Few players have combined style, substance, and steel quite like Smriti, and her journey since her debut in 2013 is a saga of unwavering resolve and dazzling artistry.
Smriti Mandhana’s ODI journey began on 10th April 2013, against Bangladesh at Ahmedabad. Over the ensuing twelve years, Mandhana has become the bedrock of India’s batting order in the 50-over format.
She has amassed an impressive 4,473 runs in 102 innings. Her remarkable average of 46.59 and a healthy strike rate of 87.79 highlight her consistency and ability to accelerate when needed. Over the years, Mandhana has notched up 31 half-centuries and 11 centuries, with her highest score being a sublime 136 against South Africa at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in June 2024. Her ability to anchor the innings while maintaining a brisk scoring pace makes her indispensable in the 50-over format.
Mandhana’s tall stance, impeccable timing, and ability to manipulate gaps have made her a nightmare for bowlers worldwide. Her ODI exploits have not just won matches for India, they have inspired a generation of young cricketers to dream big.
If ODIs showcased Mandhana’s consistency, T20Is brought out her audacity. On debut against Bangladesh at Vadodara on 5th April 2013, few could have predicted the impact she would have in cricket’s shortest format. She has played 145 innings, scoring 3,942 runs at an average of 30.09 and an impressive strike rate of 124.15. She has registered 31 half-centuries and, notably, a maiden T20I century.
Her watershed moment arrived in the 1st T20I of the current series against England, when she majestically crafted her maiden T20I century, 112 off 62 balls, at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, becoming the first Indian woman to score centuries across all three formats. That knock, laced with 15 boundaries and 3 sixes, wasn’t just a personal triumph but a statement about Indian women’s cricket’s global ambitions. In the 3rd T20I at the Oval, when she reached the 9,000-run milestone, Mandhana underscored her unfading appetite for runs, top-scoring with a gritty 56 off 49 balls in a challenging chase.
Though Test opportunities have been sporadic for Indian women, Mandhana has made every outing count since debuting at Wormsley on 13th August 2014 against England. In just 12 innings, her numbers are a testament to her adaptability, accumulating 629 runs at an outstanding average of 57.18 and a strike rate of 63.72. Her Test record includes three half-centuries and two centuries.
Her latest Test masterpiece came on 28th June 2024 at Chennai’s Chepauk, where she compiled a masterful 149 off 161 balls against South Africa. That innings was a blend of patience and aggression, and it reaffirmed her class in the most demanding format. Mandhana’s Test career, though limited in matches, sparkles with the same command and elegance she displays in white-ball cricket.
Mandhana’s milestone is not just about stats, it is about her transformative influence. As the Indian vice-captain, she has grown into a leader who inspires both on and off the field. Whether it’s her match-winning partnerships with Harmanpreet Kaur or her mentorship of young talents, Mandhana embodies the spirit of modern Indian women’s cricket: fearless, progressive, and world-class.
Her 9,000 runs encapsulate triumphs across continents and the breaking of countless barriers. She is the first Indian woman to score hundreds in all formats, a rare feat even in men’s cricket. Each of her milestones marks a leap for Indian women’s cricket, inspiring millions of girls to pick up the willow.
As the current England-India white-ball series unfolds further, Mandhana’s hunger for runs and glory seems undiminished. With India leading the T20I series 2-1, and Mandhana in sublime touch, the summer promises more fireworks. But whatever the future holds, reaching 9,000 international runs is a resounding affirmation: Smriti Mandhana isn’t just rewriting records, she’s redefining the future of Indian women’s cricket.
From Vadodara to London, from an eager debutant to a global icon, Smriti Mandhana’s journey is a celebration of talent, tenacity, and grace. And with every milestone, she reminds us: the best is yet to come.
