Smriti Mandhana not only registered her seventh ODI century, amassing 136 runs off 120 balls, but also picked up her maiden international wicket in the second ODI of the ongoing multi-format series between India and South Africa, held from June 16 to July 9. India clinched the three-match ODI series 2-0.
In exceptional form, Mandhana has scored back-to-back centuries. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur handed her the ball for the 15th over in the second innings, and Mandhana promptly took the wicket of Suné Luus, who scored 12 off 13 balls. Luus, attempting to play a wide ball outside off, edged it to Richa Gosh behind the stumps, who caught it cleanly, giving Mandhana her maiden international wicket. Mandhana’s first over drew comparisons to India’s ex skipper Virat Kohli, as her nearly wrong-footed action mirrored his distinctive style.
Cricket enthusiasts were stunned by Mandhana’s unorthodox bowling action, reminiscent of Kohli’s who took his first international wicket in 2011, dismissing England’s Kevin Pietersen in a T20I match.
Fans also noted the connection between Mandhana’s century and her maiden ODI wicket, drawing parallels to a similar achievement by Kohli. During India’s tour of England in 2011, Kohli scored his sixth ODI century in the first innings and then claimed his first ODI wicket by dismissing Alastair Cook in the second innings. Fans took to social media, especially X (formerly known as Twitter), to highlight the similarities, calling it the “No. 18 and Royal Challengers Bangalore connection” since both players wear No. 18 jerseys and represent the same franchise.
Virat Kohli vs England, Cardiff 2011
100 in the 1st Innings 107(93)
Maiden ODI wicket in the 2nd inningsSmriti Mandhana vs SA Women Bengaluru 2024
100 in the 1st innings 136(120)
Maiden ODI wicket in the 2nd inningsSmriti Mandhana🤝Virat Kohli #SmritiMandhana #ViratKohli
— Namo Shah (@namoshah22) June 20, 2024
Shreynka patil define bowling action of Virat Kohli and Smriti Mandhana on Instagram.🔥#ViratKohli #INDvsAFG #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/ihuvUisElx
— Abhishek Kumar (@imAbhishekk28) June 20, 2024
– similar jersey number
– Similar Century Celebrations
– Similar bowling action
– Similar most hundreds in ODIs cricketVIRAT KOHLI 🤝SMRITI MANDHANA!!!#INDvSA #SmritiMandhana pic.twitter.com/0HPveNWYl9
— Cricketman (@Manojy9812) June 19, 2024
Smriti Mandhana said – “My action was similar to Virat Kohli”.
– “Smriti Ko Bowling Do” Chants are not far away! 😂❤️ pic.twitter.com/D9csCJIgPo
— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) June 19, 2024
Virat Kohli 🤝 Smriti Mandhana
– consecutive ODI centuries
– an ODI wicket at Bengaluru
– hundred and a wicket in the same ODI #BCCI pic.twitter.com/giqYFrVj7a— Areeba Khan اریبہ خان🇮🇳 (@Areebakhan1325) June 19, 2024
MAIDEN INTERNATIONAL WICKET FOR SMRITI MANDHANA 🇮🇳
– Her Bowling action is similar to Virat Kohli 👑🔥#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/DQSYHLsU6q
— 𝑹𝒂𝒉𝒖𝒍 𝑫𝒖𝒃𝒆𝒚 ¹⁸ (@Rahuldubey5_) June 19, 2024
We’ve seen this before, it’s a classic!
Smriti Mandhana’s Virat Kohli-like bowling action takes the internet by storm. #ViratKohli #SmritiMandhana #Viral #ViralVideo https://t.co/Xfft92bLDD
— Mashable India (@MashableIndia) June 20, 2024