Indian cricketer, Smriti Mandhana, was awarded the title of the Best Woman International Cricketer of the Year as well as the highest run-getter in One Day Internationals at the BCCI’s Naman Awards. Throughout 2024, Mandhana showcased her exceptional talent by scoring 743 runs at an average of 57.86 and an impressive strike rate of 95.15. Her performances against top-ranked teams like New Zealand and Australia solidified her place as the top scorer in the ICC Women’s Championship. Mandhana's dominant year has set high standards for her future performances.
In a dominating performance against Ireland, India's Smriti Mandhana smashed a 70-ball ton - the fastest by an Indian women's batter in ODI cricket. Her explosive knock of 135 runs off 80 balls included 12 boundaries and 7 sixes, propelling India to their highest-ever ODI total of 370/5. This marks Mandhana's 10th ODI century, making her the first Indian woman and third opener overall to have 10 50-over tons in her career. Her exceptional performance in 2024 earned her a nomination for the prestigious ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year award.
Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana made history by becoming the second Indian woman to reach 4000 runs in one-day international (ODI) cricket. In a match against Ireland, Mandhana led her team to a successful chase with her explosive batting, adding 41 runs off just 29 balls. She achieved this milestone in 95 innings, making her the third fastest player to do so. Previously, only Mithali Raj had scored over 4000 runs in women's cricket for India. Mandhana's feat also puts her in an elite group of players who have scored 4000 runs in under 100 innings, joining the likes of Belinda Clarke and Meg Lanning. This achievement also highlights the impressive growth and success of women's cricket in India.
India’s women’s cricket team skipper, Smriti Mandhana expresses disappointment over her team’s fielding performance in the first ODI against Ireland. Despite registering a comfortable victory, Mandhana believes that the team needs to improve in the fielding department and restrict the opposition to lower scores. She also praises the bowling unit for their efforts in challenging conditions and highlights the importance of executing plans in upcoming matches.
Behind Smriti Mandhana's 62-run knock, India posted a total of 159 runs for the loss of nine wickets in the second T20I against West Indies. Despite Mandhana's record-breaking performance, it was West Indies who emerged victorious with a six-wicket win. Captain Hayley Matthews led the charge for West Indies with an unbeaten 85 runs, leaving India trailing behind.
The highly anticipated second women's T20I between India and West Indies kicked off with a surprise as West Indies captain Hayley Matthews won the toss and chose to bowl first. India made a change in their playing XI with Raghvi Bisht making her debut in place of regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who is nursing a niggle. The series stands at 1-0 in India's favor after their victory in the first match.
Despite a valiant century by Smriti Mandhana, the Indian women's cricket team suffered another defeat at the hands of Australia in the third ODI on Wednesday. With this loss, India completed a 0-3 series sweep in their Australia tour. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur acknowledged the team's poor performances and expressed the need to learn from these games. She also praised the individual efforts of Arundhati Reddy and Smriti Mandhana but highlighted India's inability to finish the games after starting well with the bat.
The Australian women's cricket team continued their impressive streak as they whitewashed India 3-0 in the ODI series. Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner were the stars of the match with their impressive performances, helping Australia post a formidable total of 298. Despite Smriti Mandhana's century, India's chase fell apart as Gardner's five-wicket haul guided Australia to a massive 83-run win.
In a high-stakes match, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana's brilliant century and captain Harmanpreet Kaur's unbeaten half-century helped India defeat New Zealand by six wickets in the third ODI and win the series 2-1. Mandhana's 100 runs and Kaur's 59 not out were vital in chasing down the target of 233 set by New Zealand. The trophy was then lifted by Kaur and the team, celebrating the series win against a strong opposition.
With a brilliant 100 off 122, Smriti Mandhana guided India to a 6-wicket win against New Zealand in the series-deciding third ODI. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur also contributed with an unbeaten 70 runs, helping the hosts seal the three-match series 2-1. This was India's first ODI series win against New Zealand in four years.