India's opening batter Smriti Mandhana turns 29 today, July 18. The Maharashtra player has had her best cricket years recently, becoming a top performer in women's cricket after her strong 2024 season.
Mandhana led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their first WPL title as captain. She was bought for INR 3.4 crore, making her the tournament's most expensive player. This was her first major title win as a captain.
Mandhana had her best year in 2024. She scored 1602 runs across all formats, which is the most runs by any woman cricketer in one year. She made five centuries, matching the record for most centuries in a calendar year.
The left-handed opener has improved her game over the years. Mandhana was also the first Indian woman cricketer to hit centuries in all three formats Tests, ODIs, and T20s. She has the best ODI score of 224 runs in 150 balls, a record by an Indian woman cricketer.
Mandhana's captaincy helped RCB win their first title. The team had not won before she became captain. Her leadership and team management turned RCB from a losing team into champions in one season.
She has kept performing well recently. She made a century against South Africa in the 2024 ODI series and scored important runs in the Women's Premier League.
Her achievements have certainly taken women’s cricket in India to new heights. The high payment of RCB indicates that teams are investing more in women's cricket. Her social media following and brand partnerships have attracted new fans, leading to higher viewership and more sponsors.
Mandhana started playing for Maharashtra's Under-15 team at age nine. She made her international debut against Bangladesh in April 2013. Her evolution from a young player to a famous cricketer now reflects how women's cricket in India has grown by leaps and bounds.
Her numbers show she performs well in all formats. She has an average of more than 43 in ODIs and a strike rate of more than 87. These statistics rank her as one of the best female cricketers in the world.