In a night to remember at Trent Bridge, Smriti Mandhana etched her name in the history books, delivering a breathtaking performance that not only gave India a thumping 97-run win over England but also carved her legacy as one of the greatest batters in women’s cricket.
On Saturday, June 28, the Indian women’s team opened their five-match T20I series against England with a bang. The spotlight, however, firmly rested on Smriti Mandhana, who scored her maiden T20I century, reaching a phenomenal 112 off just 62 balls. Her innings was laced with 16 fours and 3 sixes, a masterclass in aggressive yet elegant stroke play.
A Historic First for Indian Women’s Cricket
Smriti Mandhana sensational ton didn’t just entertain the crowd it rewrote cricketing history. With this feat, the left-handed opener became the first Indian woman to score a century in all three international formats Test, ODI, and T20I. It’s a landmark no other Indian female cricketer has reached before.
Previously, Harmanpreet Kaur held the distinction of scoring a century in Women’s T20Is, having achieved the milestone against New Zealand in the 2018 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. But with this blazing knock at Trent Bridge, Mandhana has gone one step further, cementing her place among the elite few who have achieved triple-format tons.
A Knock for the Ages
Smriti Mandhana innings was more than just about reaching a personal milestone. She was leading the team in the absence of regular skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, and she took that responsibility with utmost confidence and maturity.
Walking in with an aggressive intent, Smriti Mandhana never let the England bowlers settle, punishing any loose deliveries and rotating strike effectively with her partner Shafali Verma. The duo shared a record partnership, sending the English bowlers into a frenzy.
Their blistering partnership laid the foundation for India’s massive total of 210/3, their highest-ever T20I total against England. This is also one of the top five totals in Women’s T20I history.
Dominance Against a Top Rival
Smriti’s latest century also highlights her dominance over strong teams like England. This was her eighth 50+ score against England, the most by any Indian batter against a single opponent in T20Is. She surpassed her own previous record of seven half-centuries against Australia.
Interestingly, this milestone puts her on par with Australia’s Beth Mooney, who also has nine 50+ scores against a single opponent India. Mooney remains the only one ahead in terms of 50+ scores in T20Is against a specific opponent, but Mandhana is closing the gap fast.
A Nightmare Night for England
The 97-run defeat handed to England was their worst-ever loss in T20I history. For India, this victory margin is their biggest ever against a full-member nation, underscoring the team’s growing prowess in the shortest format.
While the batting was spectacular, India’s bowlers backed it up brilliantly. Young talents and experienced campaigners alike shared the wickets, keeping the English batting line-up under constant pressure and bundling them out cheaply.
Captaincy with Class
Mandhana’s performance was even more remarkable considering the pressure of captaincy. Leading the side is never easy especially in a high-profile series opener but Smriti carried the additional responsibility with grace.
She has often been dubbed the poster girl of Indian women’s cricket, and her journey has been nothing short of inspirational. From a teenager with potential to a leader rewriting records, Mandhana’s career has seen a steady and spectacular rise.
Why This Matters for Indian Women’s Cricket
This milestone is more than just a personal victory for Smriti Mandhana it’s a moment of pride for Indian cricket as a whole. For years, the women’s game struggled for visibility and recognition. Performances like these help shift that narrative, proving that Indian women cricketers are among the best in the world.
Mandhana’s knock is already trending on social media, and rightly so. It not only inspires millions of young girls in India but also draws global attention to the rapidly growing competitiveness of women’s cricket in the country.
Looking Ahead in the Series
With a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series, India has laid down a strong marker. The team looks balanced, confident, and aggressive qualities that are essential in T20 cricket.
Smriti Mandhana will look to continue this rich vein of form in the remaining matches. England, on the other hand, will be desperate to bounce back and avoid a series loss on home soil.
The next few games promise to be exciting, but no matter what happens, this night at Trent Bridge will be remembered as Smriti Mandhana’s night a night where she created history, inspired a generation, and gave Indian cricket fans a memory to cherish forever.
Final Thoughts
Smriti Mandhana’s milestone is more than a statistic it’s a statement. A statement that Indian women’s cricket is rising, that individual brilliance combined with team effort can create history, and that Mandhana is no longer just a star she’s a legend in the making.
As cricket lovers, all we can do is sit back, applaud, and wait for the next chapter in what’s already shaping up to be a legendary career.
For the full scoop and in-depth analysis, read the complete report on Smriti Mandhana Breaks Barriers Delivers Glorious All-Format Century Record The Times of India
