ICC on Monday named India opening batter Smriti Mandhana ICC Women’s Cricketer 2021 for her stellar performance.
Smriti Mandhana scored 855 runs in 22 internationals at an impressive average of 38.86 with one century and five half-centuries.
Despite India enduring a difficult 2021, Mandhana’s stock continued to rise this year. In the limited-overs series against South Africa where India won just two of the eight matches at home, Mandhana played a major role in both of the wins. She made 80 not out as India chased down 158 in the second ODI that helped them level the series and scored 48 not out in the win in the final T20I.
A year to remember 🤩
Smriti Mandhana's quality at the top of the order was on full display in 2021 🏏
More on her exploits 👉 https://t.co/QI8Blxf0O5 pic.twitter.com/3jRjuzIxiT
— ICC (@ICC) January 24, 2022
Mandhana played a sublime innings of 78 in the first innings of the one-off Test against England that ended in a draw. She played an important knock of 49 in India’s only win in the ODI series. Her 15-ball 29 and fifty in the T20I series went in vain though as India fell short in both the matches and lost the series 2-1.
