The Girl Who Made India Proud
Smriti Mandhana is one of the best women cricketers in the world today. She plays for the Indian women’s cricket team. Her story is full of dreams, love for cricket, hard work, and big wins. People call her the “Queen of Cover Drive” because of her smooth batting style. She started playing when she was a little girl and is now one of the most loved sportspersons in India.
Smriti is not just a cricketer; she is a role model for many young girls. She shows us that no matter where you come from, you can do big things if you believe in yourself.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Smriti Shriniwas Mandhana |
| Nickname | Smriti |
| Date of Birth | 18 July 1996 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 28 Years |
| Place of Birth | Sangli, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Profession | Cricketer (Left-handed Opening Batter) |
| Batting Style | Left-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm off break |
| Role in Team | Opening Batter |
| International Debut (ODI) | 10 April 2013 vs Bangladesh |
| International Debut (T20I) | 5 April 2013 vs Bangladesh |
| Test Debut | 13 August 2014 vs England |
| Current Teams | India Women, RCB (WPL), Western Storm, Sydney Thunder (WBBL) |
| Father’s Name | Shriniwas Mandhana (former district cricketer, manages her career) |
| Mother’s Name | Smita Mandhana (homemaker) |
| Brother’s Name | Shravan Mandhana (former cricketer, first coach) |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Boyfriend | Not publicly disclosed |
| Height | 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 meters) |
| Weight | Approx. 55 kg |
| Schooling | Local school in Sangli, Maharashtra |
| Education | Graduate (Commerce, correspondence) |
| Hobbies | Listening to music, watching movies, traveling |
| Favorite Cricketer (Male) | Kumar Sangakkara, Sourav Ganguly |
| Favorite Cricketer (Female) | Mithali Raj |
| Net Worth (Estimated) | ₹25–30 Crores INR (as of 2025) |
| Controversies | Spoke on gender pay gap (misinterpreted briefly, later clarified) |
| Instagram Followers | 12+ Million (approx. as of 2025) |
| Major Awards | Arjuna Award, ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year, Wisden Cricketer of the Year |
| Languages Known | Marathi, Hindi, English |
| Endorsements | Hero, Red Bull, Boost, Nike, Equitas Bank, Gulf Oil |
| World Cup Appearances | 2017, 2022, 2025 (ODIs & T20s) |
| Jersey Number | 18 |
Childhood and Early Life
Smriti Mandhana was born on 18 July 1996 in Sangli, a town in Maharashtra, India. Her full name is Smriti Shriniwas Mandhana. Her father’s name is Shriniwas Mandhana and her mother’s name is Smita Mandhana. She also has a brother named Shravan Mandhana, who is a cricketer too.
Smriti grew up watching her brother play cricket. Her father and brother always supported her. They would take her to practice every day. Smriti started playing cricket seriously when she was just 9 years old. Even at that young age, she was better than many boys in her school.
Her family always helped her follow her dream. They never stopped her because she was a girl. In fact, they pushed her to play more. Her mother made sure she ate healthy food and stayed strong.
Education and School Life
Smriti went to school in Sangli. She was good at studies but loved cricket more. Her teachers say she was very quiet and polite. She always finished her homework on time and never made trouble in class.
Even when she had matches, she didn’t skip school. She used to study during travel or at night after practice. Her parents wanted her to focus on both cricket and school, and she did just that.
Cricket Career – How It All Started
Smriti’s cricket journey began when she was selected for the Maharashtra Under-15 team at just 9 years old. She later played for the Maharashtra Under-19 team. She was so good that everyone noticed her talent.
In 2013, when Smriti was just 16 years old, she played her first match for India. She made her international debut against Bangladesh. She was nervous but didn’t show it. She batted with confidence and everyone praised her.
Her biggest moment came in 2016, when she scored her first century (100 runs) in a match against Australia. People started calling her the future of Indian women’s cricket. She played many good innings after that and became one of the main players of the team.
World Cup and Big Matches
Smriti has played in many big tournaments like the Women’s Cricket World Cup and the Women’s T20 World Cup. She scored lots of runs and helped India win matches. Her batting style is clean and beautiful. She plays shots that even male cricketers admire.
In the 2022 World Cup, she was one of the top scorers for India. In 2024, she made a huge record by scoring centuries in all three formats — Test, ODI, and T20 — during the England tour. No other Indian woman had done that before.
Awards and Records
Smriti has won many awards for her amazing performances. Some of them include:
- ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year in 2018
- Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World in 2019
- Arjuna Award by the Government of India in 2019
- BCCI Best International Women Cricketer in 2025
She also holds records like:
- First Indian woman to score 224 runs in a domestic one-day match.
- One of the youngest Indian women to play in all three formats.
- Captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the WPL.
Family Support and Personal Life
Smriti always talks about her family and how they helped her succeed. Her father takes care of her contracts and travels with her to matches. Her mother handles the home and gives her emotional strength. Her brother coaches her and helps her improve.
Even when she fails, her family never blames her. They give her the strength to try again. Smriti says that without her family, she would never have reached this level.
She still lives a simple life. She enjoys spending time with her parents and watching TV shows or listening to music when she’s free.
Love Life and Boyfriend
People often ask, “Is Smriti Mandhana dating someone?” But Smriti has never shared anything about a boyfriend. She keeps her personal life private. She once said in an interview that she wants to focus on her cricket career and is not thinking about marriage or relationships now.
There were some rumors about her being linked to fellow cricketers, but Smriti never confirmed anything. She always stays focused on her game and doesn’t let gossip affect her.
Controversies and Misunderstandings
Smriti Mandhana is not someone who gets into fights or trouble. She is very calm and polite. Still, there was one small issue. In 2020, she spoke about how male and female cricketers get paid differently. Some people misunderstood her and thought she was angry at the system.
But Smriti later explained that she only wanted to say that women also work hard and deserve more chances and money. She said she respects the BCCI and knows that change takes time. After that, things were fine and she continued to play without any problems.
Fitness and Training Routine
Smriti is very serious about her fitness. She works out every day and eats healthy food. She does running, strength training, and yoga. She also practices for many hours daily to keep her skills sharp.
She avoids junk food and drinks lots of water. She sleeps early and wakes up on time. Her mother makes sure she gets all the right food to stay strong and focused.
Smriti believes that fitness is just as important as skill. Without energy, no player can win matches.
Life on Social Media
Smriti is very popular on social media. She has millions of followers on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. She shares photos from her matches, practice sessions, and trips. She also posts messages to support causes like girls’ education and animal care.
Fans love her posts because she stays real. She doesn’t show off. She smiles a lot, replies to fans, and always thanks her team. She inspires people with her words and actions.
Net Worth and Brands
Smriti Mandhana is one of the highest-paid women cricketers in India. She earns from:
- BCCI Central Contract
- WPL Contract
- Advertisements and Brand Deals
She has worked with brands like Nike, Hero, Red Bull, and Boost. Her total net worth is around ₹25–30 Crores. She uses her money wisely and helps her family. She also donates to charity and supports young girls who want to play cricket.
What’s Next for Smriti?
Smriti still has big dreams. She wants to win the World Cup for India. She also wants to open a cricket academy in her town so that more girls can learn the game. She hopes to become a coach or mentor after her playing days.
She believes that women’s cricket will grow a lot in the next few years. She wants to be a part of that change and help Indian women’s cricket become number one in the world.
