Smriti Mandhana has etched her name into the record books, becoming the first Indian woman cricketer to achieve the distinction of scoring centuries in all three international formats: Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
Smriti Mandhana celebrates her record-breaking century.
This historic feat was accomplished during the first T20I match between India Women and England Women at Trent Bridge. Mandhana delivered a breathtaking innings, scoring 112 runs off a mere 62 balls.
Leading the team as captain, Mandhana showcased her dominance with a stellar performance, smashing 15 boundaries and three towering sixes. Her aggressive yet composed innings propelled India to a formidable total of 210/5 in 20 overs. This score marks their highest-ever T20I total against England.
The remarkable century was also Mandhana's first in T20Is, solidifying her place in cricket history. Her innings was characterized by a blend of elegance and power, particularly evident in her fearless approach against England’s leading spinners, including Sophie Ecclestone.
Valuable contributions from Harleen Deol (43 off 23) and Deepti Sharma (7 not out off 3) complemented Mandhana's efforts, ensuring a consistently strong run rate for India. Lauren Bell emerged as the pick of England’s bowlers, claiming three wickets, but the damage inflicted by Mandhana had already been done.
Mandhana's achievement places her among a select few cricketers, both male and female, who have achieved centuries across all three formats of the game. Her milestone represents a defining moment not only for her personal career but also for Indian women’s cricket as a whole, inspiring aspiring cricketers to pursue their dreams and shatter existing barriers.
With this commanding display, Mandhana has once again reaffirmed her status as the leading figure in Indian women’s cricket, consistently demonstrating her fearless approach and record-breaking abilities.
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