The ace batswoman and star cricketer of the India's Women Cricket Team is our birthday girl today. Smriti Mandhana has her own legacy of winning a series of recognition and titles. Let's take a look at the accolades that she clinched this year, in 2019.
International women cricketer of the year
Smriti Mandhana was named the International women cricketer of the year at the CEAT International Cricket Awards 2019. Mandhana got this title after her stellar performance at Women’s T20 Challenge. In the 2018 edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, she was also awarded ‘Women’s Leading Cricketer of the Year’.
“Winning the Cricketer of the Year award means a lot to me. It means you work hard for a year and get validation for your performances,” Mandhana said in an interview.
Mandhana is the number one T20 women cricketer in the world at the age of 22
“Winning the Cricketer of the Year award means a lot to me. It means you work hard for a year and get validation for your performances,” Mandhana said in an interview with CricketNext.
Appointed as T20I Captain
Mandhana's cricket form is quite appreciable. The 22-year-old batswoman has played 106 games for India till now, including 55 in the shortest format.
During India Vs England T20I match series, Smriti Mandhana prepped to make her international captaincy debut. Mandhana was appointed skipper after Harmanpreet Kaur, the designated T20I captain, took a recess from the series because of an ankle injury.
Named Wisden’s Leading Female Cricketer of the Year
In the 2018 edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, Mandhana was named the ‘Women’s Leading Cricketer of the Year’
Mandhana, who scored 1,291 runs in limited-overs, topped the game. The left-handed batswoman scored 669 and 662 runs in ODIs and T20Is during 2018. She kept her brilliant form alive throughout and scored 421 runs in the Women’s Super League with an astonishing strike rate of 174.68.
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Makes it to ‘Forbes India’s 30 Under 30’ list
In the Forbes, Under 30 list sportswoman list, Mandhana was listed. She has moved up three spots to attain the number one rank in the updated ICC ODI batting rankings, released early in 2019. Mandhana has recently scored her fourth ODI century and an unbeaten 90 in the three-match series against New Zealand.
With her extraordinary run-scoring season, Smriti Mandhana is one cricketer who has steadily made a mark in women’s cricket. The batswoman is the first Indian to feature in England’s flagship T20 tournament for women.
Career-best position in ICC T20I rankings
Likewise, ace batswoman Smriti Mandhana recently achieved a career-best ranking on the batting list, in the updated ICC rankings. Following her extraordinary run-scoring season, despite losing a 0-3 in the three-match series against England women, Mandhana is one cricketer who is steadily making a mark. Earlier, she was declared women’s cricketer of the year by the sport’s world governing body.
Indian opener Smriti Mandhana was conferred with the Arjuna Award on Tuesday by the Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Kiren Rijeju in a ceremony held in New Delhi.
Bestowed with Arjuna Award
Indian opener Smriti Mandhana was awarded with the Arjuna Award on Tuesday by the Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Kiren Rijeju in a ceremony held in New Delhi.
After being awarded the ODI Player of the Year by ICC, this is yet another feather in the cap for the talented batswoman. She has already registered 1951 runs in the format at a splendid average of 42.41.
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Udisha Srivastav is an intern with SheThePeople.Tv