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Smriti Mandhana’s Power Game Sets New Women’s Cricket Benchmark
Smriti Mandhana is an Indian cricketer who has become especially powerful at hitting the ball.
Anjum Chopra said Mandhana is very difficult for spin bowlers to stop.
Mandhana recently scored 124 runs from 64 balls against Hong Kong.
That performance helped her become the leading run-scorer and century-maker in women’s international cricket.
Chopra also praised young Indian spinner Shree Charani for improving steadily.
Charani took 10 wickets in her first T20I series in England and 14 wickets at the World Cup, according to Chopra.
Chopra said women’s cricket is changing quickly and teams must learn new ways to succeed in T20 matches.
She also said India’s decision not to attend the Asia Cup trophy presentation was a clearly communicated and peaceful stance.
Former India captain Anjum Chopra praised Smriti Mandhana’s improved power game and extreme dominance against spinners.
Mandhana scored 124 off 64 balls against Hong Kong in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup.
The innings made Mandhana the leading run-scorer and century-maker in women’s international cricket, surpassing Mithali Raj and Meg Lanning.
Chopra called young spinner Shree Charani a consistent match-winner after strong performances in England and the World Cup.
Chopra said women’s cricket is evolving quickly and teams must adapt to T20 demands; she also defended India’s Asia Cup presentation-ceremony stance.
- Who
- Smriti Mandhana, former India captain Anjum Chopra, young spinner Shree Charani, and the Indian women’s cricket team.
- What
- Chopra praised Mandhana’s improved batting power and dominance against spinners, discussed Charani’s consistency, and commented on women’s cricket’s evolution and India’s Asia Cup presentation stance.
- Where
- Mandhana’s record innings was against Hong Kong in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup; Chopra also cited Charani’s performances in England and at the World Cup.
- When
- Mandhana’s record-breaking performance and India’s Asia Cup title came recently; Chopra referred to Charani’s performances from early 2025 onward.
- Why
- Chopra said players must develop greater power and adapt quickly as women’s T20 cricket becomes more demanding.
Indian Team and BCCI Stance
ACC Presentation Position
Asia Cup trophy ceremony
Indian Team and BCCI Stance
The Indian team did not attend the presentation, and Chopra said India’s and the BCCI’s stance had been clearly communicated in advance.
ACC Presentation Position
Chopra said the ACC chairman had the right to stand on the podium with the other officials during the ceremony.
Key facts
- Mandhana’s innings
- 124 runs off 64 balls against Hong Kong
- Mandhana’s records
- Became the leading run-scorer and century-maker in women’s international cricket
- Charani’s first T20I series
- Took 10 wickets in England and was named player of the series
- Charani at the World Cup
- Took 14 wickets, according to Anjum Chopra
- India’s Asia Cup result
- Defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs
- India’s Asia Cup titles
- Won a record-extending eighth Asia Cup title
- Trophy presentation
- India’s players did not attend the post-tournament presentation ceremony
Quotes
Anjum Chopra
Former India captain and cricket analyst
“What has become so nice to see is that in the last two years, two and a half years, how she has worked on her power game. How she is able to clear the boundary with such ease and confidence. That is such a heartening sign to see.”
rediff.com
“Very impressed with Shree Charani, obviously, from where she started in early 2025. Since the day that she has come in, she has only become better and better. And that's where we talk about consistency.”
rediff.com
Sources
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