In a year that prompted athletes to redefine excellence, Smriti Mandhana emerged as a beacon for Indian women’s cricket, crafting an unforgettable narrative that earned her the prestigious title of Wisden’s Leading Women’s Cricketer in the World for 2024. Mandhana didn’t just play the game; she embodied it, showcasing unparalleled skill, fierce determination, and a refreshing evolution throughout this remarkable season. It was as if each game she played was a chapter in a powerful story about resilience and triumph.
With an impressive total of 1,659 runs scored in international cricket throughout 2024, she set a new benchmark—it is the highest ever recorded by a woman in a single calendar year. This achievement is not merely about numbers; it’s about the artistry she brought to each format. Picture this: she masterfully accumulated 747 runs in ODIs, 763 in T20Is, and captured everyone’s attention with a stunning Test century against South Africa. Prior to her, no woman had achieved the feat of four ODI centuries in one year—yet Mandhana did it, fueled by a relentless drive that transformed her into one of the finest batters in the world today.
But it wasn’t just about individual milestones. As the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mandhana led her team to a glorious Women’s Premier League (WPL) title. She balanced her role as a leader with a role as a consistent run-scorer, confirming her status as one of the most versatile players on the global stage. Her contributions in international cricket, especially during India’s series at home and abroad, reinforced her value.
The pivotal moment of Mandhana’s extraordinary journey unfolded during the mid-year series against South Africa. Imagine the adrenaline as she scored 117, 136, and 90 in the ODIs, amassing an incredible 343 runs—the most by any woman in a three-match ODI series. Just when you think she couldn’t rise higher, she achieved a career-best 149 in a Test match, leading India to a ten-wicket victory—a moment that certainly marked her as a powerhouse in women’s cricket. Even in T20Is, she rounded off the tour by scoring 100 runs, getting out only once, which is a testament to her remarkable consistency.
In her quest for growth, Mandhana shared insightful reflections on her mental journey. “For years, I burdened myself with thoughts like: Why am I getting out in the seventies and eights?” she revealed. “Once I cleared my headspace, everything changed. I went back to the basics, reinforcing the muscle memory I built as an Under-19 cricketer. The batting camp before the South Africa series was crucial; it helped me overcome my T20 tendencies when playing longer formats.”
Her impact is undeniable—she contributed nearly 25% of India’s total runs, which means one out of every four runs scored by the team came from her bat. It’s astonishing to think she navigated seven different opening partners throughout the year yet maintained her rhythm without missing a beat. The only hiccup came during the T20 World Cup, where her performance dipped, showing just how much the team depended on her form.
As the year reached its climax, Mandhana continued to shine brightly, knocking an impressive ODI century against New Zealand in Ahmedabad and another against Australia in Perth. This further reaffirmed that she could dominate both at home and abroad. With her signature off-side dominance and innovative batting style, she unveiled a new version of herself, thrilling fans and cricket analysts alike.
Changing her game was no easy feat, and one moment stood out for her growth: a ton against New Zealand that reshaped her perception of discipline and composure. “The New Zealand ton matured me beyond my imagination,” she shared. “After struggling in the T20 World Cup and facing multiple edges during practice, I decided to resist my cover-drive, my go-to shot, for the first ten overs. This innings taught me invaluable lessons about patience and restraint.”
At just 28, Mandhana’s career is already adorned with accolades that highlight her exceptional contributions to cricket. As India’s vice-captain, she has garnered four ICC Awards, including the 2024 ODI Cricketer of the Year, which speaks volumes about her influence on the game. Earlier accolades include the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award in 2018 and 2021, and she made history as the only Indian woman to notch a century in a pink-ball Test—a remarkable 127 against Australia in 2021.
Her career statistics reflect her extraordinary talent: 629 runs from 7 Test matches, averaging 57.18, with two centuries and four half-centuries; 4,209 runs from 97 ODIs at an average of 46.25, including ten centuries—the highest for an Indian woman; and 3,761 runs from 148 T20Is at an average of 29.38.
Smriti Mandhana’s 2024 wasn’t merely a series of runs and records; it was a profound narrative of transformation, leadership, and unwavering determination. As she stands at the pinnacle of her career, embraced by Wisden and celebrated worldwide, it’s evident: the journey of Smriti Mandhana is far from over—it’s just beginning, and we’re all eager to see what comes next.
Image Source: Smriti Mandhana @ Instagram
