Another match-winning knock by 100% Cricket Superstar Smriti Mandhana

Superstar Smriti Mandhana has continued her excellent recent form by producing another match-winning knock in the opening match of her side’s three-game ODI series against England.

Just last month Mandhana was announced as one of five new ICC 100% Cricket Superstars and the talented 26-year-old has been buoyed by that announcement judging on her recent performances with the bat.

Mandhana was India’s leading run scorer during the recent three-game T20I series and the left-hander backed up that effort by producing another Player of the Match performance in the opening match of the ODI series in Hove.

While Mandhana just missed out on a sixth ODI century for her country, she scored a brilliant 91 from just 99 deliveries to help India successfully chase down England’s competitive total of 227/7 with more than five overs remaining.

Mandhana lost fellow opener Shafali Verma (1) in just the second over of the chase and played a patient innings alongside Yastika Bhatia (50) as the pair put on 96 for the second wicket to put their team in control.

Bhatia fell in the 18th over, but Mandhana kept her cool and combined well with experienced skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (74*) to ensure India obtained the opening match of the series.

Mandhana’s magnificent innings consisted of a total of 10 fours and one massive six and gave us a glimpse as to why she was one on the latest list of ICC 100% Cricket Superstars unveiled in August. 

She made the list along with Pakistan’s Fatima Sana, Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner, Sophia Dunkley of England, and Ireland’s Gaby Lewis.