How Did Mandhana's Chat with Radha Inspire Her First T20I Ton?
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Synopsis
In a thrilling match at Trent Bridge, Smriti Mandhana achieved her first T20I century, inspired by a motivating conversation with teammate Radha Yadav. This landmark achievement not only marked a personal triumph but also contributed to India's emphatic victory over England, showcasing the power of camaraderie and the drive to excel in women's cricket.
Key Takeaways
- Smriti Mandhana scores her first T20I century at Trent Bridge.
- A conversation with Radha Yadav spurred her achievement.
- India won the match by 97 runs, leading the series 1-0.
- Mandhana becomes the second Indian woman to score a T20I century.
- Young spinner N Shree Charani shines with a four-wicket haul on debut.
Nottingham, June 29 (NationPress) In a remarkable display, Smriti Mandhana became the first Indian woman to score centuries across all three international formats, achieving this milestone with a stunning 112 runs off just 62 balls in the series opener against England. Following the match, she disclosed that a conversation with teammate Radha Yadav inspired her to reach her inaugural T20I century at Trent Bridge.
“Just three days ago, Radha and I had a chat. Sometimes these girls push me hard. She said, ‘It’s about time you claimed a century in T20Is. You keep getting dismissed in the 70s and 80s, and you’re not doing justice to your talent.’ I responded, ‘Alright, Radha, I’ll make it happen in one of the matches this series,’” Smriti shared after the match.
With her century, Smriti laid the foundation for India’s commanding 97-run victory over England, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. She became only the second Indian batter, after Harmanpreet Kaur, to score a century in Women’s T20Is and the fifth female cricketer overall to achieve hundreds in all international formats, joining the ranks of Heather Knight, Tammy Beaumont, Laura Wolvaardt, and Beth Mooney.
Beaming with joy and giving a thumbs-up to the dressing room upon reaching her century in just 51 balls, it was a moment that reflected both happiness and acknowledgment of Radha’s encouragement.
“I never anticipated achieving it in the first match, but I pointed to her saying, ‘Look, I did it today.’ It has been frustrating to get out in the 70s and 80s over the past decade when I had the chance to lead the team through. I’m thrilled that I could stay till the 19th and 20th overs,” she added.
Another standout performer, young left-arm spinner N Shree Charani, made her mark by claiming four wickets on her T20I debut. “The bowlers executed their plans magnificently, making our job much easier. They were incredibly focused and knew their strategies,” she noted.
“Especially Shree, stepping up in her first match and delivering. We had glimpses of her talent in the WPL, but her performance today was extraordinary, as was that of all the bowlers,” she concluded.
Point of View
I believe that Smriti Mandhana's achievement is a testament to the growing talent in women's cricket. Her journey reflects not only personal dedication but also the supportive spirit among teammates, which is vital for growth in the sport. NationPress remains committed to highlighting such inspiring stories in women's cricket.
NationPress
29/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspired Smriti Mandhana to score her first T20I century?
A conversation with her teammate Radha Yadav motivated Smriti to focus on achieving her first T20I ton after frequently getting dismissed in the 70s and 80s.
Who are some of the other female cricketers with centuries in all formats?
Smriti Mandhana joins Heather Knight, Tammy Beaumont, Laura Wolvaardt, and Beth Mooney as the fifth female cricketer to score centuries across all international formats.
What was the outcome of the match against England?
India won the match by 97 runs, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
