Smriti Mandhana: A Journey From Backyards to Batting Glory

Intro

The journey of Cricketer Smriti Mandhana is an inspiring tale of unwavering passion, unwavering dedication, and unbridled talent. Smriti Mandhana born on July 18, 1996, in Mumbai, India, Smriti’s initial connection with cricket began in her early years, playing in the backyards of her family home in Sangli, Maharashtra.

Following in Brother’s Footsteps: Inspired by her elder brother, Shravan, who played cricket at the district level, Smriti’s love for the game blossomed. She honed her skills by playing with him and friends, showcasing her natural potential from a young age.

Early Talent and Recognition: At the tender age of eight, Smriti Mandhana began formal training under Coach Anant Tambwekar. Her talent was quickly recognized, and she started playing for various regional and age-group teams. By the age of nine, she was already playing for the Maharashtra Under-15 team, and by eleven, she had progressed to the Under-19 team.

Breakthrough and International Debut: In 2013, at the age of 16, Smriti’s hard work and dedication paid off when she earned her international debut against Bangladesh. This marked the beginning of a remarkable journey that would see her rise to the pinnacle of women’s cricket.

A Career Filled with Accolades: Smriti’s impressive performances on the international stage have earned her numerous accolades and recognition. Some of her most notable achievements include.

• Youngest captain of the Indian cricket team (men’s or women’s)
• Former world No. 1 ODI batter in the ICC Women’s Cricket Rankings
• Vice-captain of the Indian women’s cricket team that won a gold medal at the Asian Games 2023
• Only Indian player named in the ICC Women’s Team of the Year 2016
• Scored two centuries in the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup
• Holds several batting records for India in international cricket
• Arjuna Award in 2018
• Listed in ESPN Cricinfo’s list of the 100 Greatest Female Cricketers of All Time

Overview

• Born – July 18, 1996, Mumbai, India
• Age – 27 yrs (as of 2023)
• Birth Name – Smriti Shriniwas Mandhana
• Nick Name – Mandhana
• Height – 5’ 4 (1.63 m)
• Weight – 55 kg
• International Test Debut – 13 August 2014 vs England Women in Wormsley
• International ODI Debut – 10 April 2013 vs Bangladesh Women in Ahmedabad
• International T20 Debut – 5 April 2013 vs Bangladesh Women in Vadodra

Smriti Mandhana Bio

Bio
Full Name	Smriti Shriniwas Mandhana
Profession	Indian Women Cricketer (Batsman)
Physical Stats & More
Height	in centimeters- 163 cm
	in meters- 1.63 m
	in Feet Inches- 5’ 4
Weight	in Kilograms- 55 kg
	in Pounds- 121 lbs
Figure Measurements	33-27-33
Eye Colour	Black
Hair Colour	Black
Cricket
International Debut	Test- 13 August 2014 vs England Women in Wormsley
	ODI- 10 April 2013 vs Bangladesh Women in Ahmedabad
	T20- 5 April 2013 vs Bangladesh Women in Vadodra
Jersey Number	18 (India)
Domestic/State Teams	Brisbane Heat Women
	Royal Challengers Bangalore
Bowling Style	Right-arm medium-fast
Batting Style	Left-hand bat
Playing Role	Opening Batter
Records/Achievements (main ones)	While playing against Gujarat in October 2013, Mandhana became first Indian women cricketer to achieve a double ton in a One Day game. She had smashed 224 off just 150 balls in the West Zone under-19 tournament.
	With 3 centuries in as many matches and a total of 192 runs in the Women's Challenger Trophy 2016, she stood as the highest run-scorer of the tournament.
Career Turning Point	In order to utilize her heroic batting style and huge numbers in the domestic cricket, the selectors named her to the international squad in April 2013.
Personal Life
Date of Birth	18 July 1996 (Thursday)
Age	27 Years (as of 2023)
Birthplace	Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Zodiac sign	Cancer
Nationality	Indian
Hometown	Sangli, Maharashtra, India
Family	Father- Shrinivas Mandhana (Former district-levrl Cricketer)
	Mother- Smita Mandhana
	Brother- Sharavan Mandhana (Former district-levrl Cricketer)
Religion	Hinduism
Hobbies	Listening to Music
Favourites
Cricketer	Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Matthew Hayden
Food	Bhel
Actor	Hrithik Roshan, Kartik Aryan
Singer	Arijit Singh
Relationship
Marital Status	Unmarried
Boyfriend	Palash Muchhal (music composer and film score composer), July 2023
	Note: Palash Muchhal is brother of singer Palak Muchhal.
Collections
Car Collection	Range Rover Evoque (worth Rs. 72.09 lakh)
Net Worth
Salary	50 Lakh
Net Worth	25 crore
Bid Rate	WPL 2023- 3.4 crore (highest of all players

More Than Just Cricket: Aside from her cricketing achievements, Smriti Mandhana is also a source of inspiration and motivation for aspiring athletes. She is actively involved in various social initiatives, advocating for education for underprivileged children and women’s empowerment.

A Role Model for Millions: Smriti’s journey from a small-town girl to a global cricketing icon is a testament to her unwavering passion, dedication, and positive attitude. She is an inspiration to young girls around the world, showcasing the power of hard work and determination in achieving one’s dreams.

Looking to the Future: With her talent, dedication, and positive outlook, Smriti Mandhana is sure to continue to dominate the world of women’s cricket for many years to come. Her journey is an inspiring example of what can be achieved with hard work, passion, and a never-give-up attitude.

Smirit Mandhana Fun Facts

Smriti Mandhana, the elegant left-hander who has captivated audiences with her batting prowess, is more than just a star cricketer. She’s an inspiration, a role model, and a young woman with diverse interests and a captivating personality.

1. Smriti Mandhana was born on July 18, 1996, in Mumbai, India.
2. An academic achiever, Smriti scored 94% in her Class 12 exams while juggling cricket training.
3. Her father, Shriniwas Mandhana, played district-level cricket.
4. At 9, she started playing cricket.
5. She idolizes former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid.
6. Mandhana’s favorite shot is the cover drive.
7. She loves Pav Bhaji, a popular Indian street food, and finds comfort in home-cooked meals.
8. Her batting inspiration includes Kumar Sangakkara and Adam Gilchrist.
9. She made her international debut at 16.
10. Mandhana loves traveling and exploring new destinations.
11. She is an avid reader and often shares book recommendations.
12. Her favorite cricketing memory is India’s series win in South Africa.
13. Smriti’s father secretly bought her a cricket bat when she was 4, fearing her mother’s disapproval.
14. She perfected her batting by playing against boys in the neighborhood.
15. Her brother, Shravan, was a state-level cricketer and her biggest supporter.
16. She studied at Bishop’s Co-Ed School in Sangli and scored 94% in her Class 12 exams.
17. She pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai.
18. Smriti Mandhana is a vegetarian and loves to cook Maharashtrian dishes in her free time.
19. Her favorite food is Pav Bhaji, a popular Indian street food.
20. She is an avid reader and enjoys reading self-help and motivational books.
21. Smriti Mandhana enjoys watching movies and her favorite actors are Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone.
22. She loves dancing and considers herself a good freestyle dancer.

Facts About Smriti’s Cricket Career

11. Smriti Mandhana made her international debut at the age of 16 against Bangladesh in 2013.
12. She became the youngest Indian woman to score an international century (102) in 2014.
13. Smriti Mandhana holds the record for the fastest fifty (23 balls) in T20Is for India.
14. She is the first Indian woman to score a double century in a domestic one-day game (224 off 150 balls).
15. Smriti Mandhana became the youngest captain of the Indian cricket team (men’s or women’s) at 21.
16. She was ranked No. 1 ODI batter in the world by the ICC in 2018.
17. Smriti Mandhana has won the Arjuna Award (2018), BCCI Awards (2017 and 2018), and the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Award (2018).
18. She is the only Indian player to be named in the ICC Women’s Team of the Year 2016.
20. She has represented India in 143 international matches across all formats.
21. In September 2016, she became one of the first two Indians to be signed to play in the Women’s  Big Bash League after Brisbane Heat signed her up for the then edition of the tournament. Harmanpreet Kaur is the other one.

Facts About Smriti’s Brand Endorsements and Philanthropy

21. Smriti is a brand ambassador for Adidas, Puma, Hero MotoCorp, and other leading companies.
22. She is involved in various social initiatives, including education for underprivileged children and women’s empowerment.
23. Smriti supports the “Educate Girls” campaign and has visited several schools in rural India.
24. She has partnered with the “Save the Children” organization to promote child welfare initiatives.
25. Smriti is an advocate for gender equality and speaks out against discrimination.
26. She believes in the power of education and encourages young girls to pursue their dreams.
27. Smriti is a role model for millions of young girls around the world.
28. She is actively involved in social media and uses her platform to promote positive messages.
29. Smriti is known for her down-to-earth personality and her positive attitude.
30. She is an inspiration to many and is considered one of the most influential athletes in India.

Facts About Smriti’s Awards and Achievements

31. Smriti received the Arjuna Award, the highest sporting honor in India, in 2018.
32. She has won the BCCI awards for Best International Cricketer (Women) in 2017 and 2018.
33. Smriti was awarded the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Award for the best young cricketer in the world in 2018.
34. She was listed in ESPN Cricinfo’s list of the 100 Greatest Female Cricketers of All Time.
35. Smriti has won numerous other awards and accolades throughout her career.
36. She is regarded as one of the best batters in the world and is known for her elegant strokeplay.
37. Smriti is a role model for aspiring cricketers and has inspired many young girls to take up the sport.
38. She is a true ambassador for the game of cricket and is widely respected by fans and fellow players.
39. Smriti is a true champion and an inspiration to all.
40. Smriti Mandhana has played in World Cup (2017) and scored century.