Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana scored her career-best 87 as she helped India register a five-run win, via DLS method, over Ireland and qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Monday. The match was played at St George’s Park in Gqeberha.
Well, women’s cricket has been gaining popularity in recent years, and Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana is among the players who have played a significant role in this trend. Here are some interesting facts to know about this talented cricketer.
Early life and career
Smriti was born in Mumbai, India, on July 18, 1996. Her father was a former district-level cricketer, and he encouraged Smriti and her brother to play cricket. She was inspired to take up cricket after watching her brother play at the Maharashtra state Under-16s tournaments. At the age of nine, she was selected in the Maharashtra’s Under-15 team. At eleven, she was picked for the Maharashtra Under-19s team. She made her debut for the Indian women’s cricket team in 2013, at the age of 16.
Records and achievements
Smriti has already achieved numerous records and milestones in her career. In 2018, she became the first Indian woman cricketer to score a double century in a one-day international match. She also holds the record for the fastest fifty by an Indian woman cricketer in T20 internationals. In 2019, she became the second-fastest woman cricketer to score 2,000 runs in ODI matches.
Recognition and awards
Smriti’s performances on the field have earned her recognition and awards. In 2018, she was named the Best Women’s International Cricketer at the BCCI Annual Awards. She was also named the ICC Women’s Player of the Year in 2018, making her the second Indian woman cricketer to receive the award after Jhulan Goswami.
Social media influence
Smriti has a significant following on social media, with over 7 million followers on Instagram. She is known for her fashion sense and has been featured in numerous fashion and lifestyle magazines. In 2020, she was named as one of the top 100 influential women in sports by the Women’s Sport Trust.
Breaking barriers
Smriti has been a trailblazer for women’s cricket in India. She has spoken out about the need for better infrastructure and facilities for women’s cricket, and has advocated for equal pay and recognition for women cricketers. She has also been a role model for young girls who aspire to play cricket professionally.
