Smriti Mandhana’s Maiden
Smriti Mandhana’s Maiden: In a breathtaking display of skill and leadership, stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana smashed her maiden T20I century to guide India to a dominant 97-run victory over England in the first T20I of their five-match series at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
With regular skipper Harmanpreet Kaur ruled out due to a head injury, Mandhana took charge and delivered one of the finest innings in women’s T20I history. Her 112 off 62 balls, studded with 15 fours and 3 sixes, powered India to a mammoth 210/5—their second-highest T20I total ever.
Mandhana’s century came in just 51 deliveries, making her only the fifth woman in history to score centuries in all three formats (Test, ODI, and T20I), joining an elite club featuring Heather Knight, Beth Mooney, Stafanie Taylor, and Meg Lanning.
Match Recap: India’s Batting Onslaught
1. India’s Innings (210/5 in 20 Overs)
Mandhana opened the innings alongside Shafali Verma (16 off 13), who provided a quick start before falling to Sophie Ecclestone. However, Mandhana took center stage, dismantling England’s bowling attack with her signature elegant drives and powerful pulls.
- 50 in 28 balls – A statement of intent.
- 100 in 51 balls – A historic moment for Indian cricket.
- Partnerships:
- 68 runs with Jemimah Rodrigues (23 off 15)
- *93 runs with Deepti Sharma (22* off 20)*
England’s bowlers had no answers as Mandhana dominated, with Freya Kemp (1/38), Sophie Ecclestone (1/33), and Sarah Glenn (1/44) struggling to contain the onslaught.
2. England’s Chase (113 All Out in 17.3 Overs)
In response, England collapsed under the pressure of India’s massive total. Renuka Singh (3/18) and Deepti Sharma (2/25) ripped through the top order, while Pooja Vastrakar (2/12) and Radha Yadav (2/22) cleaned up the tail.
- Top Scorers:
- Amy Jones (26 off 21)
- Danni Wyatt (23 off 19)
- Key Moment: Sophia Dunkley (1) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (5) fell early, derailing England’s chase.
England were bundled out for 113, handing India a massive 97-run win—their biggest victory (by runs) against England in T20Is.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Mandhana’s Leadership Brilliance – Proving her mettle as captain, she led from the front with a career-defining knock.
- India’s Bowling Depth – A collective effort ensured England never got close.
- England’s Batting Woes – Over-reliance on a few stars exposed their middle-order fragility.
What’s Next?
The second T20I will be played at The County Ground, Northampton, on [Next Match Date]. Can England bounce back, or will India continue their dominance?
FAQs
1. Is this Smriti Mandhana’s first T20I century?
Yes! This was Mandhana’s first T20I century in her 100th T20I match, making it even more special.
2. How many women have centuries in all three formats?
Only five women have achieved this feat:
- Smriti Mandhana (India)
- Heather Knight (England)
- Beth Mooney (Australia)
- Stafanie Taylor (West Indies)
- Meg Lanning (Australia)
3. What is India’s highest T20I total?
India’s highest T20I total is 198/4 against New Zealand in 2019. Today’s 210/5 is now their second-highest.
Final Thoughts
Smriti Mandhana’s magnificent century and India’s clinical bowling have set the tone for an exciting series. With four more matches to go, England must regroup quickly, while India will look to maintain their momentum.
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