Smriti Mandhana Clinches ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year Award
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Synopsis
India’s Smriti Mandhana has been awarded the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2024, making her the top run-scorer with 747 runs in 13 matches. This marks her second win of this honor, showcasing her exceptional skills and performance throughout the year.
Key Takeaways
- Smriti Mandhana is the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024.
- She scored 747 runs in 13 ODIs, the highest in women's cricket.
- Achieved four centuries, setting a new record.
- Recognized as Player of the Series against South Africa.
- Concluded the year with strong performances against Australia and the West Indies.
New Delhi, Jan 27 (NationPress) India’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has been honored as the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2024. She surpassed competitors like Australia’s all-rounder Annabel Sutherland, Sri Lanka’s captain Chamari Athapaththu, and South Africa’s skipper Laura Wolvaardt to secure this prestigious accolade for the second time, having previously won in 2018.
As a left-handed opener, Smriti showcased an outstanding performance in 2024, finishing as the highest run-scorer in women’s ODIs with a remarkable total of 747 runs from just 13 matches. This achievement marked her highest run tally in a calendar year in the 50-over format, boasting an impressive average of 57.86 and a strike rate of 95.15.
Throughout the year, she recorded four ODI centuries, setting new benchmarks in women’s cricket. Her ODI journey commenced modestly with a score of 29 against Australia in January. However, upon India's return to ODIs against South Africa in June, Smriti exhibited explosive form.
She launched into the series with consecutive centuries in the first two ODIs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, narrowly missing a third century with a solid 90-run innings in the series finale, leading India to a 3-0 series win and earning her the Player of the Series title with a total of 343 runs.
Her consistency was further highlighted in October when she wrapped up a challenging series against New Zealand with a stunning century at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. She concluded the year with an impressive 105 against Australia at the WACA, despite the team's loss.
In that match, Smriti’s century included 14 fours and one six, coming off just 109 balls, while the rest of the Indian squad managed only seven boundaries combined in that innings. She finished the year strongly against the West Indies, narrowly missing a century but contributing two half-centuries to secure a series victory for India.
