Smriti Mandhana Wins ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year

Smriti Mandhana is a prominent Indian cricketer known for her exceptional batting skills and significant contributions to women’s cricket in India.

Smriti Mandhana Wins ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year

She has been named the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2024, marking her second win after 2018. The announcement on January 27, 2025, recognized her outstanding performance in 2024. Mandhana emerged as India’s standout player in One Day Internationals (ODIs) in 2024.

She accumulated 747 runs in 13 innings, her highest tally in a calendar year. Moreover, this performance made her the leading run-scorer in women’s ODIs for the year and set a new record for the most centuries by a female cricketer in a calendar year, with four centuries. Her batting average was 57.86, complemented by a strike rate of 95.15.

Smriti Mandhana Wins ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year

She began the year strongly with back-to-back centuries against South Africa. Additionally, a crucial century in the series decider against New Zealand demonstrated her ability to perform under pressure. Lastly, she ended the year with 105 runs against Australia, despite India losing that match. Her achievements surpassed notable competitors, including South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt and England’s Tammy Beaumont.

Mandhana’s Consistency and Reaction

Mandhana’s consistency against tough opponents solidified her status as one of the premier players in women’s cricket. Reacting to the award, Mandhana expressed gratitude towards her teammates and coaches. She emphasized her desire to enjoy the game and contribute to her team’s success.

Early Career and Rise

Mandhana’s journey in cricket began at a young age. Inspired by her brother’s participation in under-16 tournaments, she started playing cricket herself. At nine, she was selected for the Maharashtra Under-15 team, advancing to the Under-19 team by eleven.

By the age of nine, Mandhana was playing for Maharashtra’s U-15 team, and at 11, she was fast-tracked into the U-19 side. (IE)

Her domestic debut was remarkable, with 155 runs in her first match against Saurashtra. She made her international debut in April 2013 in a T20I against Bangladesh, followed by her ODI debut shortly after. In just her second ODI, she scored her maiden century with 102 runs against Australia in Hobart.

Major Achievements

Throughout her career, Mandhana has received numerous accolades. She has won the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year twice (2018 and 2021) and the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year multiple times (including 2024). In domestic cricket, she was important  in leading the Royal Challengers Bangalore to their first Women’s Premier League (WPL) title in 2024, playing a important role in the final match.

Mandhana holds the record for the fastest fifty by an Indian woman in T20Is, reaching 50 runs off just 24 balls against New Zealand in February 2019. In January 2025, she scored her fastest ODI century off 70 balls, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve ten ODI centuries. Furthermore, Mandhana also played a vital role in India’s journey to the final of the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup, where India finished as runners-up.

Smriti Mandhana’s dedication and remarkable achievements have cemented her legacy as one of India’s finest cricketers. Her inspiring journey continues to show the way for future generations in women’s cricket.