On July 18, 2025, Smriti Mandhana, one of India’s brightest cricket stars, celebrated her 29th birthday, marking another year of her incredible journey in cricket. She is a name that shines in Indian women’s cricket. Smriti is known for her stylish batting and calm leadership. Her story is one of hard work, talent, and passion. This biography tells the tale of a young girl from Maharashtra who became a global cricket icon. It is written in simple English for Indian beginners to enjoy and understand.
Early Life And Family
Smriti Mandhana was born on July 18, 1996, in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Her full name is Smriti Shriniwas Mandhana. When she was two years old, her family moved to Sangli, Maharashtra. Her father, Shrinivas Mandhana, was a district-level cricketer. Her brother, Shravan Mandhana, also played cricket for Sangli. Cricket was in her family’s blood. Smriti grew up watching her brother practice. She loved the game from a young age. Her mother, Smita Mandhana, supported her dreams. She took care of Smriti’s diet and daily needs. This family support helped Smriti focus on cricket.
Smriti was a bright child. She went to Shardashram Vidyamandir School in Mumbai for early schooling. Later, she studied in Sangli. She was good at studies and sports. At nine years old, she joined cricket trials for fun. She was naturally right-handed but chose to bat left-handed. This was because her father admired left-handed batters. Her brother also batted left-handed. Smriti’s early choice made her unique. She practiced hard and showed great talent.
Smriti Mandhana Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Husband, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Smriti Shriniwas Mandhana |
| Date of Birth | July 18, 1996 |
| Place of Birth | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Current Age | 29 years old (as of July 18, 2025) |
| Hometown | Sangli, Maharashtra, India |
| Family | Father: Shrinivas Mandhana (former cricketer); Mother: Smita Mandhana; Brother: Shravan Mandhana (former cricketer) |
| Education | School: Shardashram Vidyamandir, Mumbai; later schools in Sangli College: Chintaman Rao College of Commerce, Sangli Degree: B.Com |
| Early Cricket | Started playing at 9 Under-15 team at 9 Under-19 team at 11 Senior Maharashtra debut at 13 (2010) |
| International Debut | ODI: April 10, 2013 vs Bangladesh T20I: April 5, 2013 vs Bangladesh Test: August 13, 2014 vs England |
| Major Achievements | First Indian woman with U-19 double century (224* in 2013) Centuries in Australia (ODIs, Tests, 2021) Century in all formats (2024) Fastest T20I fifty (24 balls, 2019) |
| Career Statistics | 263 international matches 9,112+ runs (second-highest for India women) |
| Awards | Arjuna Award (2018); BCCI Best Women’s Int’l Cricketer (2018); ICC Cricketer of the Year (2018, 2021); Most ICC awards by any Asian cricketer (4) |
| Leadership Roles | Youngest T20I captain (22 in 2019); Vice-captain, Commonwealth Games 2022 (Silver); RCB captain WPL (2023–2024), WPL champion (2024) |
| T20 Leagues | Brisbane Heat (WBBL, 2016); Western Storm (KSL, 2018); Southern Brave (The Hundred, 2021); Royal Challengers Bangalore (WPL, 2023–2024) |
| Notable Performances | 90 vs England (WC 2017), 106* vs WI (WC 2017), 127 vs Australia (Test, 2021), 100 vs NZ (ODI, 2024) |
| Injuries | ACL tear (2016, WBBL); 5 month recovery |
| Personal Life | Dating Palash Muchhal (since 2019); football/tennis fan; Cristiano Ronaldo admirer; owns café with brother in Sangli |
| Net Worth (2024) | Approx. ₹33 crore ($4 million) |
| Endorsements | SBI, Hyundai, Dairy Milk, Tata Tea Gold |
| Hobbies | Watching football, playing tennis, time with family and friends |
| Legacy | “Cover-drive queen”; Indian pioneer in international T20 leagues; inspires young girls to play cricket |
Cricket Journey
Smriti’s cricket journey began early. At nine, she played for Maharashtra’s Under-15 team. This was a big achievement for such a young girl. By 11, she joined the Under-19 team. Her skills grew fast. She worked hard on her batting. Her family supported her fully. Her father managed her cricket schedule. At 13, she played for Maharashtra’s senior team. This was in 2010. She scored 155 runs in her debut match against Saurashtra. People noticed her talent. Smriti was on her way to greatness.
In 2013, Smriti made history. She scored an unbeaten 224 runs in a one-day game. This was against Gujarat in the West Zone Under-19 Tournament. It was the first double century by an Indian woman in a one-day match. Smriti was only 17. Her performance showed her potential. She was ready for bigger challenges.
International Debut And Rise
Smriti joined the Indian women’s cricket team in 2013. She was 16 years old. Her One Day International (ODI) debut was against Bangladesh on April 10, 2013. She scored 39 runs in that match. It was a strong start. Her T20 International (T20I) debut came soon after, on April 5, 2013. She played well and earned praise. In 2014, Smriti made her Test debut against England. She scored 50 runs. India won that historic Test match. Smriti’s batting was key to the victory.
In 2016, Smriti faced a tough moment. She injured her knee during a Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) match in Australia. The injury was an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. She needed five months to recover. This kept her out of important matches. But Smriti did not give up. She worked hard to return stronger. In 2017, she played in the Women’s Cricket World Cup. She scored 90 runs against England in her first match. India won by 35 runs. Smriti was named Player of the Match. She also scored a century (106 not out) against West Indies. India reached the World Cup final but lost to England.
Achievements And Awards
Smriti’s career is full of awards. In 2018, she won the Arjuna Award from the Indian government. This award honors great athletes. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named her the Best Women’s International Cricketer in June 2018. The International Cricket Council (ICC) gave her the Cricketer of the Year award in 2018 and 2021. She also won the ODI Cricketer of the Year award. Smriti became the first Indian woman to score a century in all three formats: Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. This happened in 2024 when she scored her first T20I century against England.
In 2021, Smriti scored her first Test century against Australia. It was a day-night Test match. She made 127 runs and won Player of the Match. She became the first Indian woman to score centuries in both ODIs and Tests in Australia. Smriti has four ICC awards, the most by any Asian cricketer. She also holds many BCCI awards. Her records include the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian woman, scored in 24 balls against New Zealand in 2019. She is the second-highest run-scorer for India women, with over 9,112 runs in 263 international matches by July 2025.
Leadership And T20 Leagues
Smriti is a natural leader. In 2019, at age 22, she became India’s youngest T20I captain. She led the team against England when Harmanpreet Kaur was unavailable. Smriti’s calm nature helps her lead well. In 2022, she was named vice-captain for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. India won a silver medal. In 2023, she helped India win gold at the Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Smriti shines in T20 leagues worldwide. In 2016, she joined Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). She was one of the first Indian women to play in this league. In 2018, she signed with Western Storm in the Kia Super League in England. She was the first Indian to play in that league. In 2021, she played for Southern Brave in The Hundred, scoring 167 runs in seven matches. In 2023, Smriti joined Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). RCB paid ₹3.4 crore for her, the highest bid in the auction. She became RCB’s captain. In 2024, Smriti led RCB to the WPL title. This was RCB’s first-ever trophy. Fans celebrated her leadership.
Recent Performances
In 2024, Smriti had a great year. She scored 763 runs in T20Is. She also scored her third ODI century against New Zealand in October 2024. This century helped India win the series 2-1. Smriti scored 100 runs off 122 balls. She built strong partnerships with Yastika Bhatia and Harmanpreet Kaur. India chased 232 runs with ease. Smriti’s form remained strong in 2025. She was named in India’s squad for the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Her performances continue to inspire fans.
Personal Life And Education
Smriti is private about her personal life. She has been dating Palash Muchhal, a music composer, since 2019. Palash proposed to her with a romantic song. Smriti loves football and tennis. She is a fan of Cristiano Ronaldo. Besides cricket, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. Smriti owns a café with her brother in Sangli.
Smriti balanced cricket with studies. She completed her schooling in Sangli. Later, she joined Chintaman Rao College of Commerce in Sangli. She earned a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree. Her college supported her cricket career. Smriti’s discipline helped her excel in both fields. Her family’s support was key. Her father planned her training. Her mother ensured she ate healthy food.
Net Worth And Endorsements
Smriti is among the richest women cricketers. Her net worth is around ₹33 crore ($4 million) in 2024. She earns from cricket contracts, T20 leagues, and endorsements. Smriti endorses brands like SBI, Hyundai, Dairy Milk, and Tata Tea Gold. Her success on the field makes her a popular choice for brands. She is a role model for young girls in India.
Legacy And Impact
Smriti Mandhana is a true icon. She inspires millions with her batting and leadership. Her journey from a small town in Maharashtra to global stardom is remarkable. She broke barriers for Indian women in cricket. Smriti was the first to play in many international T20 leagues. She proved women can shine in cricket. Her WPL win with RCB in 2024 was historic. It showed her ability to lead under pressure.
Smriti’s style is elegant. Her cover drives are famous. Fans call her the “cover-drive queen.” She works hard to improve her game. Even after injuries, she returned stronger. Her story teaches young people to never give up. Smriti’s awards and records show her talent. She is the face of Indian women’s cricket today.
Conclusion
Smriti Mandhana’s life is a story of dreams and hard work. She started playing cricket at nine. She became a global star by 29. Her family supported her every step. Smriti faced challenges like injuries but never lost hope. She won awards, broke records, and led her team to glory. Her journey inspires young Indians to follow their passions. Smriti is not just a cricketer; she is a hero for many. Her story will motivate generations to come.