In a display of sheer brilliance and poetic timing, Smriti Mandhana, stand-in captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, carved her name into history books with her maiden T20 International century.
As India took on England in the opening T20I of a packed multi-format series, Mandhana’s scintillating knock of 112 off just 62 deliveries not only powered her side to a formidable total of 210/5 but also etched her status as the first Indian woman, and only the fifth player in the world, to hit a century in each international format, ODIs, Tests, and T20Is.
On a windy afternoon at the storied Trent Bridge, England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss and opted to bowl, sensing an opportunity to exploit early movement. However, what followed was a masterclass in intent, skill, and composure from the Indian opener. Mandhana, who began her international journey with a T20I debut on 5th April 2013 in Vadodara against Bangladesh, had already built an illustrious 12-year career, but this night was destined to be different.
Mandhana’s performance at Trent Bridge was nothing short of historic, as she became the first Indian woman, and only the fifth player in women’s international cricket history, to register centuries in all three formats: T20I, ODI, and Test. This remarkable achievement underscored her remarkable consistency and adaptability at the highest level.
Over a 12-year international career that began with her T20I debut against Bangladesh in Vadodara on 5th April 2013, Mandhana has amassed 3,873 runs in the shortest format at an impressive strike rate of 124.41 and an average of 30.02 across 143 innings.
Her T20I journey has been studded with 30 half-centuries, but until now, the elusive T20I century had remained out of reach. On this occasion, she rose to the occasion spectacularly, crafting a sparkling 112 off just 62 balls, an innings punctuated by 15 boundaries and three towering sixes. The knock not only marked her maiden T20I century but also completed her set of centuries across formats, a feat few have accomplished, and one that cements her legacy as one of the modern greats of the women’s game.
Her latest innings was an exquisite blend of authoritative drives, deft touches, and calculated aggression, leaving the English attack searching for answers. The left-hander peppered the offside with crisp boundaries, dancing down to spinners and dispatching pacers over the ropes.
For Indian women’s cricket, Mandhana’s achievement is nothing short of monumental. As the regular skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was ruled out of this fixture due to a head injury, Mandhana shouldered the captaincy with both grace and grit, leading from the front.
Mandhana joins an elite group of women to have scored international hundreds in all formats, a club that includes stalwarts like former England skipper Heather Knight, Tammy Beaumont, South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt, and Beth Mooney from Australia.
England’s home series against India, scheduled from June 28th to July 22nd, 2025, features a white-ball showdown, five T20Is followed by three ODIs. This high-octane contest not only serves as preparation for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup next year in June–July 2026, but also as a showcase of the best in women’s cricket.
With Mandhana’s historic century setting the tone, India has sent a resounding message: expect fireworks, expect records, and expect a team eager to rise above adversity.
With Harmanpreet Kaur expected to return soon, India will look to blend Mandhana’s sizzling form with their skipper’s experience, crafting a formidable unit for the challenges ahead. At Trent Bridge, Smriti Mandhana did not just score a century; she wrote a chapter in cricket history, reaffirming her status as one of the modern greats.
