In the absence of regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur, the Women in Blue were led by vice-captain Smriti Mandhana in the first T20I against England. Stepping up as stand-in skipper, Mandhana led from the front with a commanding performance, scoring her maiden century in the format. Contributions from the rest of the Indian unit, both the batters and bowlers complemented her effort, handing England their heaviest defeat in T20Is with a 97-run loss.
With a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, Team India will be aiming to maintain their momentum and replicate their strong performance in the second T20I in Bristol.
However, beyond the series’ role as preparation for upcoming ICC events like the ODI World Cup 2025 and T20 World Cup 2026, the second T20I will carry special significance for the Indian team’s vice-captain.
The second T20I fixture at the County Ground in Bristol will mark the flamboyant left-hander batter’s 150th T20 International appearance. This milestone will make her only the second Indian player and seventh overall to play 150 Women’s T20Is. Team India captain Harmanpreet Kaur tops the list with 178 T20Is, the highest number played across both male and female.
Mandhana, a prodigious talent from the beginning, debuted for Maharashtra’s senior team at the age of 13 and became captain by 16. Her international debut against Bangladesh at the age of 16, in 2013, launched a career defined by consistently breaking barriers.
In her 149 T20 International appearances for India, Mandhana leads the national batting charts with 3,873 runs at an average of just over 30, making her the highest run-scorer for India in T20Is. She ranks second overall in women’s T20I career runs, behind only Suzie Bates. She was also the 6th fastest cricketer to complete 3000 runs in WT20Is.
She also holds the record for the most 50-plus scores in women’s T20Is, with 31 in total, including 30 half-centuries and one century. Across genders for India, Mandhana holds the third spot for the most 50-plus scores in T20 internationals, trailing only Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. With both legends now retired, she has a strong chance of eventually claiming the top position on the all-time list.
Mandhana also holds the record for the most runs in a calendar year in women’s T20 Internationals, amassing 763 runs at an average of 42.38. She recorded 8 half-centuries in just 21 innings during that remarkable run.
With her recent maiden century, the Indian opener also notched up four consecutive half-centuries, placing her second on the list for most consecutive 50s in women’s T20 internationals. She shares this position with Mithali Raj, Ni Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini, and Rebecca Blake, trailing only Suzie Bates. Her maiden century against England also made her the first Indian woman cricketer to score a century in all three formats of international cricket.
Mandhana’s RCB and team India teammate, off-spinner Sneh Rana, said, “It’s a special occasion for her and the Indian team.” Rana on Mandhana’s feat further added, “We are grateful to have her in the team.”
Smriti Mandhana’s 150th T20I would not just be a personal milestone but also a testament to her consistency, resilience, and impact on women’s cricket. From a teenage prodigy to one of the game’s most dependable and celebrated batters, her journey continues to inspire a new generation.
As she stands on the cusp of breaking even more records, Mandhana’s legacy is already etched as one of the finest in the sport.
