Guwahati: Indian opener Smriti Mandhana has turned a year older and is celebrating her 25th birthday today (July 18). One of the youngest players to play for Team India, Mandhana had made her T20I and ODI debut at the age of 16. Although she had been part of international cricket for 4 years, world cricket took note of her batting abilities in the 2017 World Cup.
The left-handed batter played a pivotal role in Team India gaining much-needed attention after her scores of 90 and 106* in the first two matches. Though her form dipped after the two fixtures, Mandhana remained to be a permanent member of the side and continues to face the new ball.
One of the senior members of the side now, Mandhana has played 3 Tests, 59 ODIs and 81 T20Is in her career. She has 167 runs in the longest format, 2253 runs in 50-over cricket and 1901 runs in the shortest format. Given her age, Mandhana can very well represent Team India for at least another decade. As Mandhana turns 25, here’s a look at the 3 greatest records held by the Indian opener –
Youngest player to lead Indian women’s team in T20Is
Mandhana is the youngest ever Indian player to lead the national side in the shortest format. She created history in the opening T20I of the series against England in 2019. Mandhana was 22 years and 229 days old when she led the side from the front. Mithali Raj was also part of playing XI but Mandhana has been Harmanpreet Kaur’s deputy for a long time now.
Following Mandhana on the list are Harmanpreet (23 years and 237 days) and Mithali (23 years and 245 days). Mithali had retired from the shortest format in 2019.
Most runs, centuries for India in Women’s Championship
Mandhana played a key role in India’s road to the 2022 World Cup qualification and emerged as the top scorer for the side. The left-handed batter finished with 911 runs in 16 matches at 65.07. She batted at a high strike-rate of 95.99 and struck 2 centuries, most for India.
She has now got a new opening partner in form of Shafali Verma and the duo can form a solid opening pair in the long run.
Second-fastest Indian to score 1000 runs in T20Is
The 10th quickest batter to complete 1000 runs in T20Is, Mandhana is also the 2nd fastest Indian to achieve this elusive milestone. The 25-year-old breached the 1000-run mark in her 49th innings, in 2018. Mithali Raj, who made her T20I debut in 2006, is the quickest Indian to reach that mark.
Mandhana had reached the milestone during her 83-run knock against Australia in the 2018 T20 World Cup. She was bestowed with the Player of the Match award for her knock.
