If not a cricketer, India’s Smriti Mandhana could have been a successful supermodel or actor, given her looks and beauty quotient. Fortunately for Indian cricket fans, she chose to pursue a career in cricket, bringing joy and delight to the faces of millions of fans around the world with her delightful stroke play, personified class and controlled aggression. 

Career Brief

Cricket was never a first career choice for the bespectacled teenager who wanted to make a career in the hospitality industry rather. As a 9-year-old, Smriti Mandhana signed up for trial class for some summer vacation engagement, and the rest they say is history. In 2007, she made it to the Maharashtra U19 side, and four years later made it to the senior team. She announced her arrival at the domestic stage, with a stunning 155 against Saurshatra.

• When did Smriti Mandhana make her India debut?

Smriti Mandhana made her T20I and ODI debuts within a space of five days in April 2013. She was first handed the T20I cap and later made her appearance in the 50-over format. The Test debut came a year later, against England, in April 2014.

Mandhana made a crucial half-century on her Test debut and helped India register a famous Test series win on English soil. In white-ball cricket, Smriti struggled initially but finally found her feet in the 2017 season.

• Maiden ODI ton and finding consistency in 2017

Smriti Mandhana’s maiden ODI ton came against Australia in Hobart in February 2016. The ton gave her the confidence that she belongs at the international level, and from there on, the runs started to flow in on a consistent basis for the southpaw. She scored her maiden World Cup century against the West Indies in Taunton in June 2017. This was followed by tons against South Africa and New Zealand over the years.

• India’s batting mainstay since 2018

It was only a matter of maintaining consistency levels after Mandhana proved her capabilities as a match-winner for India. She has become the Women’s Cricket Team’s batting mainstay at the top of the order. She averaged close to 50 in ODIs last year, and in T20Is, she has smashed 19 half-centuries in the last five years

• Most expensive player at WPL 2023 Auction

Smriti Mandhana was the first pick at the inaugural WPL auction in Mumbai on 13th February. She was bagged by Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 3.40 Crore, the most expensive buy at the auction.

The Journey

Smriti Mandhana’s batting belongs to the old school style of batsmanship, which is technically correct, has grace, and is pleasing to the eye. She has a gift of timing that always allows her to take control of her batting, and the ability to pick gaps and hit lofted shots with grace only makes her a standout batter of her generation. Though cricket wasn’t supposed to be her first choice of career, the game has already accepted her as one of its gifted cricketers.

The Technique

Smriti Mandhana uses a long handle but has a bottom-hand grip that allows her to drive, cut, and pull the ball in the front of the square. She enjoys dancing down the pitch to the spinners and clearing the midwicket region. She has an all-around game, with minimal or no gaps in her batting.

Technical Shortcoming

Smriti Mandhana has been caught several times early in her innings, either in the slip cordon or by the keeper, demonstrating that she is a little tentative at the start of her innings. Mandhana has struggled to get going in all formats against quality pace and on pitches that aid swing.

Player Net worth

As of January 2023, Smriti Mandhana’s net worth was Rs 25 crore. Her monthly income comes close to Rs 5 lakh, and her annual income is Rs 5 crore. She charges Rs 40–50 lakh as brand endorsement fees.

Smriti Mandhana is a centrally contracted player for the BCCI and comes under category A. The BCCI pays her a retainer fee of Rs 50 lakh. In addition to this, she takes home Rs 4 lakh, Rs 2 lakh, and Rs 2.5 lakh for every test, ODI, and T20I in which she represents the country.