India’s premier left-handed opening batter and Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain, Smriti Mandhana, has resumed net training as the national team gears up for a crucial five-match T20I bilateral series against Sri Lanka. Scheduled from December 21 to 30, 2025, this series will see India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, face a strong Sri Lankan side captained by Chamari Athapaththu.
Mandhana’s return to training marks a significant moment in her comeback journey after a pivotal year that showcased her brilliance, especially in the ODI format. In 2025, she became the first woman cricketer to surpass 1,000 runs in a year in ODIs, amassing 1,362 runs at an extraordinary strike rate of 109.92 and an average of 61.90 across 23 innings, including five centuries and five half-centuries.
Her outstanding performance made her India’s leading run-scorer and the second-highest scorer at the recently concluded ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, where India clinched their maiden senior-level ICC title on home soil under skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and head coach Amol Muzumdar.
Despite enduring personal setbacks with the postponement and eventual cancellation of her wedding to Palaash Muchhal due to her father’s health emergency, Mandhana’s focus on cricket remains unshaken. Her leadership role at Royal Challengers Bengaluru has further cemented her status as a driving force in women’s cricket. Following RCB’s WPL 2024 championship win under her captaincy, the franchise has actively reinforced its roster. Smriti Mandhana was one of the four retained players.
As she steps up training, Mandhana’s refined form and leadership qualities will be crucial for India’s ambitions in the T20 format, especially against the experienced Sri Lankan side. With Harmanpreet Kaur steering the national team, supported by the strategic insights of head coach Amol Muzumdar, India looks poised to build on their recent successes and further establish themselves as a powerhouse in women’s cricket.
The upcoming series promises to be a platform for Mandhana and her teammates to continue their rise and showcase the depth and talent of Indian women’s cricket on the international stage. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Mandhana’s impressive recent form translates into impact under pressure in this highly anticipated contest.
Loves all things female cricket