Smriti Mandhana: Celebrating the Record-Breaking Journey of India’s Cricket Sensation on Her 27th Birthday
India’s talented cricketer, Smriti Mandhana, who burst onto the international scene at the age of 16 in 2013, celebrates her 27th birthday on Tuesday. As the vice-captain prepares for the upcoming second ODI against Bangladesh, her dedication and passion for cricket shine through.
Since her debut, Mandhana has consistently impressed, representing India in 4 Tests, 78 ODIs, and 119 T20Is. Her defining moment came during the 2017 ICC World Cup, where her batting prowess propelled India to the finals, only to be narrowly defeated by England by 9 runs.
Today, Mandhana is a senior member of the Indian women’s cricket team and has become an indispensable pillar of the squad. As she celebrates her 27th birthday, let’s take a closer look at her remarkable records and achievements.
Mandhana achieved the milestone of being the third-fastest Indian to score 1000 runs in T20Is, making her the tenth-fastest batter in the history of women’s cricket to achieve this feat. The Mumbai-born cricketer reached the 1000-run mark in just 49 innings. In February 2019, she also set the record for the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian player, reaching her half-century against New Zealand in a mere 24 balls.
In the ODI format, Mandhana created history by becoming the first player to score ten consecutive fifties or more while chasing a target. Her incredible streak began in 2018 when she scored 67 runs off 53 deliveries against Australia Women.
Her exceptional performances led to Mandhana being honoured as the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year in both 2018 and 2021. Furthermore, she made a memorable Test debut by scoring a half-century in India’s historic Test victory over England. In another Test match against England in 2021, Mandhana, along with her opening partner Shafali Verma, established a partnership of 167 runs, which ranks as the fourth-highest in the history of women’s Test cricket.
Notably, Mandhana and Australia’s Elyse Perry are the only two players to have won the prestigious ‘Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Award’ twice. Additionally, she was named the ICC’s ODI Player of the Year in 2018 after accumulating the highest points in the calendar year.
As Smriti Mandhana continues to make her mark in the world of cricket, her talent, records, and accolades solidify her position as one of India’s most exceptional cricketers.
