Growing up in a family deeply immersed in cricket, Smriti Shriniwas Mandhana was born on July 18, 1996, in Sangli, Maharashtra. Her father, Shriniwas Mandhana, had played cricket at the district level, and her brother, Shravan, represented Maharashtra at the under-16 level, serving as a significant early influence. It was her brother’s involvement in the sport that ignited Smriti’s serious pursuit of cricket from a very young age.
By the age of nine, she had already begun her training at the Maharashtra Cricket Association in Pune. Unusually for her age group, Smriti honed her skills by practicing alongside male cricketers, a circumstance that contributed to the development of her quick reflexes and a strong competitive mindset in her formative years.
Reflecting on her early inspiration, she once stated, “Seeing my brother play was the catalyst. I simply aspired to emulate him – to hold the bat and wear the protective gear.”
Her childhood was characterized by a strong sense of purpose, significant travel for training, and dedicated practice sessions. Throughout this period, her mother took charge of preparing her meals and managing her daily schedule, while her father guided her coaching and oversaw decisions related to her burgeoning career.
Quick Info:-
| FULL NAME | SMRITI SRINIVAS MANDHANA |
| NICK NAME | MANDY, SMITHY |
| PROFESSION | CIRCKETER (BATSMAN) |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 18 JULY 1996 (THURSDAY) |
| AGE (AS OF 2024) | 28 YEARS |
| ROLE | OPENING BATTING |
| BATTING | LEFT- HANDED |
| BOWLING | RIGHT -ARM MEDIUM |
| PARENTS | FATHER:- SRINIVAS MANDHANA MOTHER:- SMITA MANDHANA |
| BROTHER | SHARVAN MANDHANA |
| HOMETOWN | SANGLI, MAHARASHTRA |
| NATIONALITY | INDIAN |
| RELIGION | HINDUISM |
| CASTE | MARWARI |
| SCHOOL | Shardashram Vidyamandir International School |
| COLLEGE | Deccan Education Society’s Chintamanrao College of Commerce, Sangli , Maharashtra |
| EDUCATION | B.COM |
| ZODIAC SIGN | CANCER |
| COACH | ANANT TAMBEKAR |
| HEIGHT | 5’8” ( 173 cm) |
| EYE COLOR | BLACK |
| HAIR COLOR | BLACK |
| JERSEY NUMBER | 18 |
| MARITAL STATUS | UNMARRIED |
| AFFFAIRS/ BOYFRIEND | PALAASH MUCHHAL |
Internation Information
| NATIONAL SIDE | INDIA |
| TEST DEBUT | 13 August 2014 v England |
| ODI DEBUT | 10 April 2013 v Bangladesh |
| T20I DEBUT | 19 December 2024 v West Indies |
The Breakthrough Moment
Smriti’s first major recognition came when she was just 11 years old, selected for the Maharashtra Under-19 team. But the real turning point was in 2013, when she scored a double century—224 off 150 balls*—in a one-day game for Maharashtra against Gujarat. At just 17, she became only the second Indian woman to score a double hundred in a limited-overs match.The cricketing world took notice.
Later that year, she made her international debut for India in an ODI against Bangladesh. The performance was modest, but it was evident—a star was in the making.
Rise to Stardom
Between 2014 and 2016, Smriti steadily established herself as a vital part of India’s batting lineup. Her real rise to fame came during the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup held in England.
🌟 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup
- First Match vs England: Scored 90 runs in style
- Second Match vs West Indies: Scored a match-winning 106 off 108 balls*
Her graceful drives and fearless approach made her an instant fan-favorite. India reached the finals that year, and though they lost to England, the team received massive love back home—and Smriti was one of the most talked-about names in Indian cricket.
Global Recognition and T20 Leagues
Smriti’s talent soon attracted the attention of global cricket franchises. She became the first Indian woman to be signed for the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in 2016 by Brisbane Heat.
Later, she also played for:
- Western Storm (Kia Super League, England)
- Sydney Thunder (WBBL)
- Southern Brave (The Hundred)
- Royal Challengers Bangalore (WPL)
With each season, she became more comfortable in overseas conditions, improving her adaptability, strike rate, and leadership qualities.
Leadership Roles
Smriti was appointed Vice-Captain of the Indian T20 team and later took on the role of stand-in captain in various formats when Harmanpreet Kaur was unavailable.Her calm demeanor, tactical brain, and ability to lead by example made her a natural leader.
She was also the captain of RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore) in the inaugural WPL season in 2023 and led them again in 2024, showing her ability to handle pressure and build a young team around her.
Batting Style and Signature Shots
Smriti is often compared to Sourav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh for her silky left-handed batting style. She’s not your typical power-hitter, but her timing and placement are unmatched.
Signature Shots:
- Elegant cover drives
- Lofted straight drives
- Late cuts and flicks through mid-wicket
Her batting is a blend of old-school grace and modern aggression, which makes her one of the most watchable players in the world.
Impact Beyond the Pitch
Smriti Mandhana is more than just numbers. She has become a role model for millions of young girls in India and abroad. Her social media following runs in the millions, and she’s frequently featured in brand endorsements and awareness campaigns for gender equality and women empowerment.
She’s endorsed brands like:
- Nike
- Hero MotoCorp
- Red Bull
- Boost
- Gulf Oil
She’s also worked with the UN and UNICEF for women’s sports development.
Women’s Premier League (WPL)
Smriti Mandhana is a pivotal figure for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Acquired for a significant ₹3.4 crores in the inaugural 2023 auction, she became the highest-bid player and was appointed as the team’s captain. While the initial season saw RCB underperform, Mandhana led a remarkable turnaround in the 2024 season, captaining the team to their maiden WPL title and personally contributing as one of the tournament’s leading run-scorers. Despite a more challenging 2025 season where RCB finished second-to-last, Mandhana remains a key batter and leader for the franchise, holding the record for the most expensive player in WPL history and being the first player to score multiple 80+ scores in the league. Her performances, including a career-best WPL score of 81 in 2025, highlight her importance to RCB’s batting lineup, and her captaincy continues to be a central aspect of the team’s strategy in the Women’s Premier League.
Final Word: The Legacy in the Making
Smriti Mandhana’s future isn’t just about personal records—it’s about reshaping Indian women’s cricket, globally redefining what a woman cricketer can achieve, and inspiring millions of young girls to dream with a bat in hand.If the past decade was about building her name, the next decade could be about building her legacy.
