The 27-year-old veteran Smriti Mandhana left-handed opening batter and the current vice-captain of the Indian Women’s team completes 11 years in the T20I format, having made her T20I debut on 5th April 2013 against Bangladesh.
The sensational, swashbuckling left-hander oozes class and elegance every time she comes out to bat for any team she plays for. On her 11th anniversary at the international level in the T20I format, we will have a look at some of her breathtaking innings in the shortest format of the game.
Top five knocks of Smriti Mandhana in the T20I format
1) 83 (55 balls) Vs Australia [T20 World Cup 2018]:
The Indian women’s team led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was up against Australia on 17th November 2018 in the 17th March of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, at the Province Stadium in Guyana, West Indies. Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and opted to bat first. Wicket-keeper batter Taniya Bhatia opened the innings alongside Smriti Mandhana.
Taniya Bhatia departed in the 2nd over of the innings. The Indian team kept losing wickets at regular intervals, however, despite losing partners, she kept the scoreboard ticking by taking calculated risks to ensure India got to a competitive total. India posted a total of 167/8 in their quota of overs courtesy of an impressive 68-run 3rd wicket partnership between her and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. India eventually won the game by 48 runs.
2) 61 (32 balls) Vs England [Commonwealth Games, Semi-final, 2022]:
Women in Blue led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was up against England led by skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt in the 1st semi-final in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on 6th August 2022. Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and opted to bat first. Shafali Verma opened the innings alongside Smriti Mandhana.
The experience of the elegant left-hander came to the fore for the Indian team in an all-important semi-final. The destructive opening duo provided a flying start, scoring at over 10 runs an over before they lost both their openers in quick succession. Smriti Mandhana departed for 61, scoring at a humongous strike rate of 190.62. India posted a competitive total of 164/5 in their quota of overs. The women in blue eventually clinched the 1st semi-final by four runs to ensure a silver medal for them in the Commonwealth Games 2022.
3) 79 (53 balls) Vs England [2022]:
The Indian team led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was touring England for a three-match T20I series followed by a three-match ODI series in September 2022. The England team led by skipper Amy Jones clinched the 1st T20I by 9 wickets to take the 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. The England Women’s team led by skipper Amy Jones won the toss and opted to bat first in the 2nd T20I at County Ground, Derby on 13th September 2022.
England was restricted to a total of 142/6 in their quota of overs courtesy of clinical performance from the Indian bowling unit. Chasing a target of 143, the Indian openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana got the Indian team off to a flying start, scoring over 9 runs an over, before they lost the wicket of Shafali Verma in the 6th over of the run chase. However, Smriti Mandhana anchored the run chase and saw India over the line with 8 wickets in hand and 20 balls to spare to level the three-match T20I series.
4) 74 (51 balls) Vs West Indies [2023]:
The Indian women’s team led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur were involved in a Tri-Series involving West Indies and South Africa in South Africa just ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup that was to be hosted by South Africa in February 2023, soon after the conclusion of the Tri-series. India was all set to face West Indies led by skipper Hayley Matthews in the 3rd match of the series on 23rd January 2023 at Buffalo Park, East London.
The Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and opted to bat first. Wicket-keeper batter Yastika Bhatia opened the innings alongside Smriti Mandhana and the duo got off to a steady start, before they lost the wicket of Yastika Bhatia on the penultimate ball of the powerplay. Smriti Mandhana continued to take the attack to the opposition and went onto notch up her well-deserved half-century, staying unbeaten on 74 (51 balls), playing a crucial role in helping India post a good total (167/2) on the board in their quota of overs. India eventually sealed a comprehensive 56-run victory and she was awarded the Player of the Match for her match-winning performance with the bat.
5) 87 (56 balls) Vs Ireland [T20 World Cup 2023]:
The Indian women’s team led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was all set to face Ireland led by skipper Laura Delany in the 18th match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa on 20th February 2023 at the St George’s Park, Gqeberha. The Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and opted to bat first. The openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana got the team off to a steady start before they lost the wicket of Shafali Verma.
Smriti Mandhana continued to build her innings and keep the scoreboard moving on a slightly tricky surface. Her knock of 87 off 56 balls played a pivotal role in helping India breach the 150-run mark which proved to be the difference as India went on to clinch the game by five runs in a rain-curtailed encounter as per the DLS method.