Smriti Mandhana — her journey from a small-town girl to one of the brightest stars of global women’s cricket.

Early Life and Background

Smriti Mandhana was born on 18 July 1996 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, to Smita and Shrinivas Mandhana. When she was about two years old, her family relocated to Madhavnagar, a suburb of Sangli, Maharashtra, where she spent her childhood and schooling.

Her family had a cricketing background: her father and brother both played at district level. Young Smriti often watched her brother play, and that early exposure sparked her interest — and eventual love — for the game.

Despite her growing interest in cricket, Smriti maintained her academic commitments. She completed her schooling locally in Sangli and later pursued a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) at Chintaman Rao College of Commerce, balancing studies alongside her budding cricket career.

Almost from childhood, she showed promise: by age 9 she was selected for Maharashtra’s Under-15 team; by 11 she had moved up to the Under-19 level. The Times of India+1 Her early domestic performances — especially a staggering 224 runs in an under-19 one-day match — created the first waves of recognition and hinted at a future beyond local cricket.

Domestic Rise & First Breakthroughs

Smriti’s youth-level success transitioned into the senior domestic circuit seamlessly. Her exceptional 224 (a “double hundred”) in a domestic one-day match made her the first Indian woman to score a double century in a List-A (one-day) domestic game.

Her talent, technique, and maturity beyond her years brought her to the attention of national selectors. At just 16, she was on the cusp of breaking into India’s senior setup.

International Debut and Early Years

Smriti Mandhana made her international debut in 2013. She first appeared in a T20 International (T20I) against Bangladesh, followed just a few days later by her One Day International (ODI) debut. Her Test debut came in 2014, marking her entry into all three formats of the game at a very young age.

Her elegant left-handed batting — characterized by graceful drives, crisp cuts and confident lofts — along with an aggressive mindset, soon made her a fixture at the top of India’s batting order.

In 2016, during a tour of Australia, Smriti scored her maiden international century. This century not only proved that she belonged among the best but earned her a place in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s Team of the Year.

Challenges: Injury and Comeback

The path wasn’t always smooth. In early 2017, Smriti suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that sidelined her for five months. The Times of India+1 For many, such an injury at a formative stage could derail a career. But Smriti turned it into a defining moment — using her rehabilitation period to deepen her understanding of training, fitness and long-term planning.

Her return was emphatic. In the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup (hosted in England), she emerged among the top run-scorers for India — including a century in the group stage. That performance restored confidence and signaled that she was back — and stronger.

Playing Style & Impact

What sets Smriti apart is a combination of elegance and aggression. As described by the national board, she brings “crisp drives, elegant cuts, lofted shots and a temperament suited for top-order batting.”

She’s equally adept at building long innings or unleashing quickfire knocks — a flexibility that makes her invaluable across formats (Tests, ODIs, T20Is) and in pressure situations.

Her style and consistency have not only helped India but inspired a whole generation of young girls in India — showing that women’s cricket, too, can be graceful, powerful, and globally competitive.

Records, Achievements & Milestones

Smriti’s list of records and achievements is both long and remarkable:

She became the first Indian woman to score a century in all three formats — Test, ODI, and T20I.

She recorded the fastest ODI century by an Indian woman.

She has been among the fastest Indian batters to reach key milestones — including the fastest 4,000 ODI runs for India.

Over her career, by 2025 she had amassed more than 9,500 international runs — a testament to her longevity and consistency.

Her consistency, flair, and impact earned her some of the biggest honours: she has won the Rachael Heyhoe‑Flint Award (Women’s Cricketer of the Year) from ICC twice (in 2018 and 2021) and the Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year in 2018 and 2024.

In 2025, she was named the Leading Cricketer in the World by the cricketing bible — the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack — following a stellar season where she scored multiple centuries and led her franchise to a major title.

On top of individual honours, her leadership roles — both for India and in domestic leagues — have added another dimension to her profile.

Franchise Cricket & Global Leagues

Smriti’s talents aren’t limited to international cricket — she’s also a standout in franchise and global leagues. From 2016 onwards she branched out into global platforms like the Women's Big Bash League (Australia), The Hundred (England) and other overseas tournaments.

But perhaps her most high-profile success came in her home country: leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the inaugural seasons of the Women's Premier League (WPL), she guided the franchise to its first WPL title in 2024.