IND vs ENG: Smriti Mandhana Creates History, Becomes Century-Winner in All Formats

India got off to a flying start in the five-match T20I series against England as they secured a dominant victory in the opening match held at Nottingham. Leading from the front was Smriti Mandhana, who not only captained the side in the absence of Harmanpreet Kaur but also delivered a stellar performance that etched her name in the record books.

With regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur sidelined due to health issues, the leadership responsibilities were handed to Smriti Mandhana. Rising to the occasion, Mandhana showed both composure and aggression, guiding Team India to a resounding win and achieving a personal milestone in the process.

After England won the toss and elected to bowl first, openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana walked out to bat. Mandhana anchored the innings with a brilliant half-century, while Shafali supported her with a valuable 20 runs. India posted an impressive total of 210 runs on the board. England struggled in their chase and were bowled out for just 113, handing India a comfortable victory in the first match of the series.

A Historic Achievement for Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana was named Player of the Match for her match-winning knock. With this performance, she has now become the first Indian woman cricketer to score centuries in all three formats of international cricket — Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Mandhana has previously scored two centuries in Test matches and 11 centuries in One Day Internationals.

Her latest milestone in T20I cricket cements her status as one of the greatest batters in Indian women’s cricket history. With the series off to such a powerful start, India will be looking to maintain their momentum in the upcoming matches. Meanwhile, Smriti Mandhana’s leadership and form have added a new dimension to India’s dominance in women's cricket.