Smriti Mandhana is an Indian cricketer who has become a household name in the country due to her exceptional skills and consistent performances on the field. Born on July 18, 1996, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, Mandhana made her debut for the Indian women's cricket team at the young age of 16 and has since then established herself as one of the finest batters in the world.
Childhood and Early Life:
Mandhana was born to Shrinivas and Smita Mandhana, who were both former district-level cricketers. She grew up in a family that was passionate about the sport and started playing cricket when she was just two years old. She was encouraged and supported by her parents to pursue her dream of becoming a cricketer.
Mandhana began her formal training in cricket when she was nine years old and joined the Vengsarkar Cricket Academy in Mumbai. She quickly proved to be a natural talent and soon became a regular member of the academy's team. In 2013, she was selected to represent Maharashtra in the under-19 cricket team and made her mark with some impressive performances.
Career:
Mandhana's breakthrough moment came in 2016 when she became the first Indian woman cricketer to score a double century in a one-day match. She achieved the feat while playing for the Maharashtra under-19 team against Gujarat in the West Zone Women's Under-19 One Day League. Her knock of 224 runs in just 150 balls included 24 fours and six sixes and made her an overnight sensation.
Her impressive performances earned her a place in the Indian women's cricket team and she made her debut in April 2013 against Bangladesh. She had a modest start to her international career, scoring just 10 runs in her first game. However, she soon found her feet and went on to become one of India's most dependable batters.
In 2017, Mandhana had a breakthrough year in international cricket, scoring her maiden century in the Women's World Cup against the West Indies. She went on to finish as the tournament's highest run-scorer for India, with 410 runs in nine innings at an average of 45.55. Her performances helped India reach the final of the World Cup, where they lost to England.
Mandhana's success in the World Cup saw her rise to the top of the ICC Women's ODI rankings for batters, making her the second Indian woman cricketer after Mithali Raj to achieve the feat. She also became the first Indian woman cricketer to play in the Women's Big Bash League, signing with the Brisbane Heat for the 2016-17 season.
In 2018, Mandhana was appointed as the vice-captain of the Indian women's cricket team for the T20I series against England. She also had a successful stint with the Western Storm in the Women's Cricket Super League, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament.
In 2019, Mandhana became the second Indian woman cricketer after Smriti Mandhana to be named as the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Women's Cricketer of the Year. She had another successful year, scoring 423 runs in nine ODIs at an average of 47, and 349 runs in 12 T20Is at an average of 29.08. She also became the third-fastest woman to score 2,000 runs in ODIs, achieving the feat in just 51 innings.
Mandhana's consistency and excellent performances have made her one of the most sought-after players in international cricket. She has also been a strong advocate for gender equality in cricket and has spoken up about the need for more opportunities
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