Just last month Mandhana was announced as one of five new ICC 100% Cricket Superstars and the talented 26-year-old has been buoyed by that announcement judging on her recent performances with the bat.
Mandhana was India’s leading run scorer during the recent three-game T20I series and the left-hander backed up that effort by producing another Player of the Match performance in the opening match of the ODI series in Hove.
While Mandhana just missed out on a sixth ODI century for her country, she scored a brilliant 91 from just 99 deliveries to help India successfully chase down England’s competitive total of 227/7 with more than five overs remaining.
Mandhana lost fellow opener Shafali Verma (1) in just the second over of the chase and played a patient innings alongside Yastika Bhatia (50) as the pair put on 96 for the second wicket to put their team in control.
The best of Smriti Mandhana | CWC22
Bhatia fell in the 18th over, but Mandhana kept her cool and combined well with experienced skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (74*) to ensure India obtained the opening match of the series.
Mandhana’s magnificent innings consisted of a total of 10 fours and one massive six and gave us a glimpse as to why she was one on the latest list of ICC 100% Cricket Superstars unveiled in August.
