Smriti Mandhana Smashes Historic T20I Century, Powers India to 210 Against England

Smriti Mandhana etched her name in the record books on Saturday, becoming only the second Indian to score a century in women’s T20 Internationals. The milestone came in the opening T20I against England at Nottingham, where the stylish opener lit up the innings with a breathtaking knock.

Mandhana reached her maiden T20I century in just 51 balls, a blistering effort laced with 14 boundaries and three sixes. She brought up the landmark with a crisp four off Lauren Bell in the 16th over, marking a defining moment in her career.

She eventually fell for a superb 112 off 62 deliveries, an innings that featured 15 fours and three sixes. Her dismissal came on the second ball of the final over when she miscued a slower delivery from Sophie Ecclestone to Natalie Sciver-Brunt at extra cover. By then, India were firmly in control at 202/5, eventually finishing with a commanding total of 210/5 in their 20 overs.

With this feat, Mandhana joins her captain Harmanpreet Kaur as the only Indians with centuries in women’s T20Is. Harmanpreet was the first to reach the milestone, scoring 103 off 51 balls against New Zealand in 2018 at Providence.

Mandhana also became the first Indian woman to notch centuries in all three formats of international cricket, joining a select club that includes Heather Knight, Tammy Beaumont, Laura Wolvaardt, and Beth Mooney.

India’s innings was further bolstered by Harleen Deol’s aggressive 43 off 23 balls, featuring seven boundaries. Deol stitched a crucial 94-run partnership with Mandhana that put England under immense pressure. On the other hand, opener Shafali Verma couldn’t convert her start, while Jemimah Rodrigues fell for a duck.

England did manage to apply some brakes in the final three overs, conceding just 26 runs, but the damage had already been done. Lauren Bell stood out among the English bowlers with three wickets, but her fellow bowlers struggled for control.

Despite the massive 211-run target, England’s deep and explosive batting lineup keeps them in the hunt, promising a gripping chase in the second innings.