India’s opening bat Smriti Mandhana celebrates her 25th birthday today and on the eve of this auspicious day, Female Cricket brings to you the stylish southpaw’s top five innings across all three formats of the game.
135 vs South Africa
In the 2nd ODI that was played between India and South Africa at Kimberley, Mandhana compiled 135 off 129 balls, hitting 14 boundaries and a six. 135 is her highest ODI score so far. It is also the 4th highest score by an Indian women batter in ODI cricket. Riding on her well-constructed century, India posted 302-3 in 50 overs, which is the team’s second-highest total in ODI cricket, and bundled out South Africa for a paltry 124 to win the match by 178 runs. The left-hand opening bat was bestowed with the player of the match award.
106 not out vs West Indies
In one of the league stage matches of the ICC World Cup 2017 that was played in England, Mandhana scored a brilliant 106 not out against West Indies to help India chase down 184 in 42.3 overs. The opening bat smashed 13 boundaries and two sixes during her entertaining knock. She was presented with the player of the match award for her prolific batting performance.
#OnThisDay a year ago, @mandhana_smriti scored her second ODI hundred with an unbeaten 106* to help India make it two wins from two at #WWC17 with a 7 wicket win against West Indies! pic.twitter.com/UE5oRtE3k7
— ICC (@ICC) June 29, 2018
105 vs New Zealand
In the first ODI of the series between India and New Zealand that was played in Napier on January 24, 2019, Mandhana mustered 105 off 104 balls. Her innings was embellished with nine boundaries and three sixes. Chasing 193, Mandhana and her opening partner Jemimah Rodrigues joined forces to put together 190 runs for the first wicket. That partnership is the 3rd highest opening partnership in women’s ODIs for India and 12th overall. It is also the highest opening stand by any team against New Zealand in women’s ODIs. India achieved the target in just 33 overs, winning the match by nine wickets with 102 balls to spare. Mandhana was awarded as the player of the match for her match-winning innings.
83 vs Australia
Mandhana has 13 half-centuries in T20Is and one of her best innings in the shortest format of the game came against Australia in Guyana during the ICC World T20 2018 when she muscled 83 off 55 balls, including nine boundaries and three sixes. She scored at a strike rate of 150.90. Her score of 83 is the 4th highest score by any player against Australia in women’s T20Is. The opening bat was there in the middle till the 19th over and played an instrumental role in taking India to a respectable score of 167-8. India won that match by 48 runs and Mandhana was adjudged the player of the match for her stellar knock.
Smriti Mandhana hits 83 off just 55 deliveries against Aus in T20 WC 18 in order to become fastest indian women’s player to complete 1000 T20 International Runs@mandhana_smriti#HappyBirthdaySmritiMandhana pic.twitter.com/sbwamzrhZ2
— Nischal 💛💙 (@SlowerOne_) July 18, 2021
78 vs England
In the one-off Test that was played between India and England from June 16 to June 19 at Bristol, Mandhana scored a brilliant 78 in the first innings with India put in to bat second in the game. During her 155 ball knock, she smashed 14 boundaries. The Maharashtra bat paced her innings well as it was a good mix of defense and offense. The southpaw was also involved in a 167-run opening stand with her partner Shafali Verma. After England posted a gigantic 396-9 on board, it was important for India to start off well and they were able to do so, thanks to Mandhana and Verma. The duo in the process recorded the highest opening partnership for India women in Test cricket. Their partnership of 167 is the 4th highest opening partnership in women’s Tests.
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.