The Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) honored India’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana with a ₹50 lakh felicitation, celebrating her pivotal role in India’s triumphant run at the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. The gesture highlighted not only Mandhana’s individual brilliance but also MCA’s growing commitment to strengthening women’s cricket in the state.
Mandhana delivered one of the finest World Cup campaigns by an Indian batter, compiling 434 runs from 9 innings at an average of 54.25, the second-highest tally in the tournament. Her performance also rewrote Indian cricket history—she surpassed Mithali Raj’s 409 runs in 2017, setting a new national record for the most runs scored by an Indian in a single World Cup edition.
Her journey this World Cup was a story of resilience and rise. The tournament began modestly with scores of 8 vs Sri Lanka, 23 vs Pakistan, and 23 vs South Africa, but she soon shifted into a higher gear when India needed her most. A fluent 80 against Australia signaled her arrival, followed by a polished 88 against England.
She then produced the innings that came to define India’s campaign—an imperious 109 against New Zealand in what effectively acted as a virtual quarterfinal. The century, which earned her the Player of the Match, became a turning point, helping India seal a semifinal spot and keeping their world title ambitions alive. She added another steady contribution with 34* vs Bangladesh, ensuring India finished the league stage strongly.
In the knockout stages, Mandhana chipped in with a 24 in the semifinal against Australia, before providing the perfect platform in the final—a composed 45 off 58, anchoring one end and building a crucial 104-run opening stand with Shafali Verma. That partnership laid the foundation for India’s historic World Cup victory.
The MCA’s recognition of Mandhana comes in a season where the association has actively accelerated the growth of women’s cricket. Their recent initiatives—the launch of the Maharashtra Women’s Premier League and the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy victory by the Maharashtra state team—have underscored this commitment. For that title win, the MCA rewarded the squad with ₹40 lakh, further signaling their dedication to nurturing talent and celebrating excellence.
Mandhana’s World Cup campaign—has firmly established her as one of the driving forces behind India’s golden moment. MCA’s felicitation stands as a well-deserved tribute to a player whose performances not only shaped India’s path to becoming world champions but also continue to inspire the next generation of women cricketers in Maharashtra and beyond.
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