Some batters hit the ball hard. Smriti Mandhana makes it look easy. A left-handed opener with a classical style, she is one of the most graceful batters in world cricket, and a central figure in the rise of the women’s game in India.
A classical technique
Mandhana’s batting is built on timing rather than brute force. Her cover drive is a standout, with a smooth swing and a high elbow that sends the ball racing through the off side. She plays with soft hands and a straight bat, and she picks the gaps rather than looking for the roof.
Opening the innings
Opening is one of the hardest jobs in cricket. The ball is new, the bowlers are fresh, and a good start sets up the team. Mandhana has made the role her own, handling the new ball with patience and then accelerating when the field spreads. Her ability to adapt to different formats has made her valuable in Tests, one-day matches and T20 cricket.
Where it began
Born in Mumbai and raised in Sangli, Maharashtra, Mandhana started playing cricket at a young age, encouraged by her family. She rose through the state ranks and made her debut for India as a teenager. She has been part of the national team ever since, growing from a promising young player into a senior leader.
The league era
The arrival of the Women’s Premier League brought a new stage for Indian women’s cricketers. Mandhana has been a prominent face of the tournament, helping to bring bigger crowds and more attention to the women’s game. For young girls watching, she is proof that a career in cricket is possible.
What she represents
The growth of women’s cricket in India owes a lot to a group of players who kept going when the sport had far less attention. Mandhana belongs to that group, and her success has helped change how the game is viewed.
Watching her bat
If you want to see her at her best, watch her early innings in a game. The way she leaves the ball outside off, waits for a bowler to err, and then punishes the loose delivery with a flowing drive. There is a rhythm to it that is a pleasure to watch.
Mandhana’s story is one of skill, patience and quiet determination, and it is far from finished.