Smriti Mandhana has emerged as a standout figure in women’s cricket after winning the prestigious women’s honor in the latest edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack. The 31-year-old cricketer had a great 2024 season, notching up a career-high in five centuries. Complementing her domestic success, this achievement crowned her one of the best all-format bowlers of her generation.
Mandhana’s remarkable performance was pivotal in leading the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their first Women’s Premier League title last year. Her impact wasn’t just felt in the domestic leagues across the world, but made waves on the international level. In addition to her individual accolades, Mandhana’s stellar play was instrumental in India’s triumph in the Twenty20 World Cup held in the West Indies, where she was named Player of the Tournament.
A Year of Records and Achievements
In 2024, Mandhana enjoyed incredible high. Four of her five centuries were in one-day internationals, illustrating both her humongous consistency and ability across the formats. Her match-winning performance was deemed “rare” and “overwhelming” by Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack. Yet it underscored the incredible mark she left on the sport during this time.
“Rarely has a cricketer stood out so overwhelmingly as he did in 2024.” – Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack
Mandhana’s name is featured along with Wisden’s other four ‘Cricketers of the Year’ in women’s section. Since this is not her first award at age 45, revealing her phenomenal supremacy in the sport. Women’s cricket is enjoying a profile and recognition unprecedented in this sport. Players like Mandhana are right at the forefront!
Impact on Indian Cricket
Mandhana’s performance has taken her success and stardom to a whole new level. After all, it’s been just as important to the commercial success with the success of Indian cricket overall. Her captaincy and talent were vital to India’s performance in global events, leading by example and raising the bar for the players that came after her. Wisden noted that “in an eventful year for Indian cricket, their success depended largely, if not entirely, on one factor: whether or not he had the ball,” referring to the significant influence of top performers like Mandhana.
Wisden’s recognition is a watershed moment for Mandhana. It fits absolutely in with her strategic priority as a visionary cricket leader, of growing women’s cricket internationally. Her accomplishments have galvanised countless future cricketers. Beyond this trip, they have done much to highlight the increasing competitiveness and talent on display in women’s cricket.
Looking Ahead
As Mandhana further cements her impressive career, her incredible journey will surely inspire future generations. Players like Mandhana are making waves around the world, showing us all that women’s sports are just as worthy of acclaim and celebration as their male counterparts.
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