As India prepares to host the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, one name stands out as the symbol of hope and excellence: Smriti Mandhana. With her consistent performances, record-breaking innings, and her role as a leader in the women’s team, Mandhana is being seen as India’s best chance to finally lift the trophy for the first time.
In this article, we analyze Smriti Mandhana’s cricketing journey, her recent form, strengths, challenges, and why she holds the key to India’s World Cup aspirations.
Table of Contents
Who Is Smriti Mandhana? A Brief Career Overview
Smriti Mandhana was born on 18 July 1996 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, and grew up in Sangli, Maharashtra. Wikipedia She began playing seriously after being influenced by her brother, who played district-level cricket.
Early Promise & Domestic Feats
- At age 11, Mandhana was fast-tracked into Maharashtra’s Under-19 side, showing early promise.
- In a domestic match for Maharashtra, she scored a brilliant 224 off 150 balls — becoming the first Indian woman to record a double hundred in a one-day game. Cricket Australia
- That innings brought her into national attention and paved the path toward international cricket.
International Debut & Rise
- Smriti made her T20I debut in April 2013, and her ODI debut followed shortly.
- Over the years, she became a mainstay in the Indian women’s team across formats.
- In Test matches, she has shown her class too. As of late, she has 7 Tests with 629 runs at an average above 57.
Records & Achievements
- In ODIs, Mandhana has been extremely consistent. As per Cricinfo records, she has scored nearly 4,888 runs at an average of 47.92. Wikipedia
- She has also been prolific in 2025: she scored her 11th ODI century in May 2025 vs Sri Lanka in the tri-series final, breaking multiple records.
- Recently, she smashed the fastest ODI century by an Indian (men or women) by reaching 100 in just 50 balls in a high-scoring game against Australia.
- This record broke Virat Kohli’s Indian record (52-ball ton) from 2013.
- In recognition of her impact and form, Mandhana was named in the Wisden Women’s Cricketer category in 2025.
All these milestones show that Smriti Mandhana is not just a star — she is a force in women’s cricket, making her India’s leading hope for ICC glory.
Recent Form & Match Impact
To understand why Mandhana is being treated as India’s “great hope,” we must look closely at her recent performances and how they uplift the team.
Explosive Display vs Australia
In the third ODI of the India vs Australia series in Delhi, cricket fans witnessed a run-feast. The match set a new record for the highest aggregate in a Women’s ODI: 781 runs in total across both innings.
In that high-scoring match:
- Australia posted a huge total of 412/7, including a blazing innings of 138 by Beth Mooney.
- In response, Smriti Mandhana blazed her way to a century in just 50 balls, setting a record for fastest ODI ton by an Indian (men or women).
- She smashed boundaries at will and built a powerful partnership with Harmanpreet Kaur. Their 121-run stand off 69 balls had a run rate of 10.52, one of the best century stands in Women’s ODI history.
- Despite Mandhana’s heroic knock, India fell short by 43 runs and lost the series 2–1.
Even in defeat, Mandhana’s innings stood out — both for its brilliance and the message it sent: she can take the game apart with sheer strokes and tenacity.
2025 Tri-Series & Other Tournaments
- In the 2025 Sri Lanka Tri-Nation series (India, Sri Lanka, South Africa), Mandhana topped India’s run charts with 264 runs. Wikipedia
- In that same year, she has scored multiple centuries in ODI — matching impressive yearly output.
- Her consistency is also reflected in ICC rankings: in recent times, she reclaimed the No.1 spot in the ICC Women’s ODI batting rankings.
- Further, earlier, she knocked India into form in various series, often giving solid starts that anchored the innings.
Taken together, these show that she is in premium form heading into the World Cup.
Strengths That Make Her India’s Hope
Why is Smriti Mandhana singled out as India’s great hope? What sets her apart?
1. Consistency & High Average
Mandhana’s ODI average (close to 47.92) is impressive. Also, her ability to frequently convert starts into big scores (hundreds, big fifties) grants India match-winning potential.
2. Explosive Strokeplay under Pressure
She has shown she can accelerate when needed — the 50-ball century vs Australia is proof that she can dominate the bowling even in difficult conditions.
3. Strong Start & Setting Momentum
As an opener, she plays a vital role in giving India a steady or aggressive start depending on need. When she gets going, the innings often becomes easier for those who follow.
4. Experience & Leadership
She is not just a batter — Mandhana is a senior member of the squad. She and Harmanpreet Kaur are jointly viewed as the core leadership, bringing confidence, mentorship, and calm under pressure.
5. Big Match Temperament
Mandhana has shown she can perform in high-stakes matches — World Cups, tri-series finals, home conditions, record-chasing games. Her mind seems attuned to perform when the pressure is high.
All these make her not just a star batter, but a potential match-winner in India’s quest for the W Cup trophy.
Challenges & What She Must Overcome
No player is without challenges, even a talent like Smriti Mandhana. To deliver the ultimate prize, she (and the team) must navigate a few hurdles.
1. Support from Others Must Rise
Even when Mandhana scores big, the middle order and bowlers must back her. In the Australia series, her century was overshadowed by India’s defeat because the rest of the lineup couldn’t match up.
2. Bowling Depth & Backup
Big tournaments are often won by teams with strong bowling support. Mandhana alone cannot win games — India must have bowlers capable of taking 10 wickets and defending totals.
3. Adapting to Varied Conditions
While playing at home gives India an edge, matches in Sri Lanka and variable pitches mean adaptability is key. Mandhana must adjust to slower, turning tracks or seam-friendly wickets.
4. Handling Expectations & Pressure
With her name being front and center, the spotlight and pressure will be immense. Expectations from fans and media can weigh heavily. She must maintain composure and consistency throughout.
5. Injury & Workload Management
Given her central role, managing fitness and avoiding fatigue will be crucial across a long tournament.
If Mandhana and her team can manage these challenges, India’s dream may turn into reality.
India’s Chances & Mandhana’s Role in World Cup 2025
India’s Track Record & Home Advantage
India has hosted the Women’s World Cup in 1978, 1997, and 2013, but has never won on home soil. Their best was in 1997 when they reached semifinals.
Hosting this time gives India not just home support but familiarity with conditions, pitches, crowd energy — all of which can tilt small margins in India’s favor.
India will begin the World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka in Guwahati on 30 September 2025.
Yet, many powerhouses like Australia (seven-time champions), England, New Zealand, and South Africa stand in India’s way.
Mandhana’s Role as India’s Flagbearer
In this campaign, Smriti Mandhana will be vital in multiple ways:
- Setting the Tempo
As an opener, she can either give the team a solid foundation or rapidly accelerate in powerplay overs. A good start often correlates with match control. - Anchoring Under Threat
When early wickets fall, Mandhana must absorb pressure and build a rebuild innings. Her capacity to anchor will be tested. - Turning Knocks into Big Scores
Converting fifties into hundreds and pushing totals into 300+ or chasing totals will be critical in knockout matches. - Leading by Example
In high-pressure knockout games, her temperament, calm, and performance will inspire teammates. - Mentorship & Guidance
Younger players will look up to her. She can guide them in handling nerves, reading game situations, and adapting to conditions.
If Mandhana consistently delivers, India’s chances of lifting the Women’s World Cup — for the first time ever — will be greatly enhanced.
Looking Ahead: Strategies & Predictions
What Must India Do?
- Build a strong top-order pairing with Mandhana to avoid collapses.
- Ensure two or three reliable bowlers who can take wickets in all phases (powerplay, middle overs, death).
- Use spin and swing wisely, especially in Indian and Sri Lankan home conditions.
- Rotate players smartly to manage energy and injuries.
- Back Mandhana — letting her bat freely without undue pressure or micromanagement.
- Build flexibility: be able to chase or defend, slow-paced or high-scoring games.
Predictions
If Smriti Mandhana starts the tournament in form — scoring consistently and converting starts into big scores — she could land among the top run-scorers of the tournament. Many expect her to break more records and play crucial match-defining innings.
In the best-case scenario, India could reach the final and possibly win, with Mandhana delivering one or more match-winning knocks. In a more conservative scenario, India might end with a semifinal finish, but Mandhana’s presence will keep dreams alive.
Conclusion
Smriti Mandhana embodies India’s hope for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 — not just as a star batter but as a leader, a steady hand, a match-winner, and a role model. Her journey, records, recent form, and temperament give credence to the idea that she can carry India to the sweet, elusive taste of their first Women’s World Cup trophy.
However, cricket is a team sport — Mandhana cannot win it alone. The entire squad must step up, the bowlers must be tight, the support staff must prepare well, and the team must manage pressure. But if Mandhana delivers innings like her 50-ball ton and leads from the front, she can very well be the difference between dreams and victory.
In this tournament, the name Smriti Mandhana may not just be a headline — it may be the key that opens India’s door to World Cup glory.
