India Women, led by Smriti Mandhana, end half a decade-long wait by registering their first bilateral T20I series win at home in the last five years. They do so by thrashing West Indies Women in the series decider by galloping 60 runs. In the process, India Women also complete their fourth T20I win against West Indies Women at home and 15th overall in 24 WT20Is.  

Prior to this series win, India's last series win at home came way back in October 2019 against South Africa Women. 

See also:  Major breakthrough for ICC as neutral venues to play host to all India-Pakistan matches till 2027

Mandhana's opens up on India's emphatic T20I series win

After receiving a brutal 9-wicket hammering in the second WT20I, the pressure was back on the Smriti Mandhana-led Indian side. With three consecutive series defeats against England, Australia, and South Africa in the past 12 months, the fourth white-ball home series defeat looked imminent.

But speaking at a press conference, the Indian skipper revealed that the team had a pep talk ahead of the third WT20I and sensed that they had the opportunity to win a T20I series at home after five long years.

“It’s been five years since we haven’t won a T20I series in India. That was the chat earlier in the day. We had the chance to do it after 5 years. Need to keep doing the right things now. With the kind of batting line-up, we have some new youngsters. So need to take responsibility. More than timing the ball, I try to put my head into playing according to the situation."

Mandhana was in dominant form with the bat in the series returning impressive scores of 64, 63, and 77. She played an instrumental role in steering India to a famous 2-1 win against West Indies thus putting an end to their bleak streak in this format at home. Her carnage with the bat followed by her tactical brilliance on the field saved the day for the home side in the do-or-die decider clash on Thursday. 

Mandhana lauds Richa Ghosh for her record-breaking blitzkreig

Both Mandhana and Richa were at their brutal best with the bat on the third and final WT20I. The duo launched a scathing assault on the Windies Women bowlers to power India to their highest-ever WT20I score of 217-4. Richa hammered a blistering 18-ball fifty and equaled the record for achieving the fastest WT20I fifty. In her short-lived entertaining knock, Richa only lasted 21 balls but went on to make a match-defining contribution of 54 runs with the help of three boundaries and five sixes.

Following the end of the match, the Indian skipper heaped endless praise on the youngster and lauded her for notching up a record-breaking performance at the DY Patil Stadium. Being conscious of the dew factor, Mandhana appreciated how her entire team worked collectively in all departments to negate that impending threat from dew.  

“Liked the way Richa Ghosh batted. The way the girls stepped up today, they played with a lot of intent. I wouldn’t have been able to that playing my second or third match."

India Women's next white-ball assignment against West Indies will commence with a three-match WODI series starting on December 22 at Vadodara. 

Indian star Smriti Mandhana equaled two world records in WT20I format with her another half-century against West Indies Women on Tuesday night during the second game of the three-match WT20I series. 

In the absence of the skipper Harmanapreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana led the India Women's side in the second game of the home WT20I series, where the hosts were leading by 1-0. 

India lost the match despite Smriti Mandhana's 62 runs

After West Indies Women sent the hosts to bat first, India Women scored 159/9 in 20 overs. While the stand-in skipper Mandhana scored 62 runs off 41 runs (nine fours and one six), Richar Ghosh (32) was the only other batter to score 20+ runs in that innings. Four Caribbean bowlers picked up two wickets each: Deandra Dottin (2/14), Afy Fletcher (2/28), captain Hayley Matthews (2/36), and Chinelle Henry (2/37). 

In reply, the West Indies Women comfortably chased the target in 15.4 overs after losing only one wicket. While the skipper Hayley Matthews scored 85 not out off 47 balls with 17 fours, Qiana Joseph was dismissed just after the powerplay for 38 runs (22 balls; six fours and two sixes). While the opening partnership was for 66 runs, Matthews had a 94-run unbroken second-wicket partnership with Shemaine Campbelle. Campbelle was not out for 29 off 26 balls with the help of four fours.

Mandhana recorded joint-most WT20I half-centuries 

During that match, Mandhana scored her 29th half-century in her WT20I career. With that 50+ score, she equalled the record for most WT20I 50+ scores. New Zealand star Suzie Bates has recorded one century and 28 half-centuries in her WT20I career.

Mandhana equalled the most WT20I half-century record in a calendar year

It was also Mandhana’s seventh WT20I half-century in 2024. With her latest knock, she became the joint record holder for most WT20I 50+ scores in a calendar year. Previously, former Indian cricketer Mithali Raj recorded seven 50+ scores in 2018.

With 686 WT20I runs in 2024, Mandhana holds the record for most WT20I runs in a calendar year by an Indian. Meanwhile, in the list of overall most WT20I runs in a calendar year, Mandhana sits in fifth place, third most among the Full Members. 

After a disappointing Australia tour, India Women started their home WT20I series against West Indies in a powerful way by securing a 49-run win in the three-match WT20I series opener. 

At the DY Patil Stadium, India Women captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and chose to bat first. While India Women scored their third-highest WT20I total of 195/4 in 20 overs, they restricted West Indies Women to 146/7 in 20 overs. 

See Also: Smriti Mandhana creates history with her fourth WODI century in 2024

Smriti Mandhana hit 28th WT20I half-century

Indian openers Smriti Mandhana and Uma Chetry provided a powerful start for the hosts with 50/0. Although Chetry was out soon after the powerplay, vice-captain Mandhana continued her strong batting performance with Jemimah Rodrigues. They had an 81-run partnership for the second wicket. 

While Mandhana was out after scoring 54 off 33 balls with the help of seven fours and two sixes, Rodrigues continued her dominant batting. Mandhana recorded her 28th WT20I half-century, second most 50+ scores in WT20I history, just below New Zealand Women batter Suzie Bates' 29 times 50+ score. Also, it was Mandhana's sixth WT20I 50+ score in 2024, which is the joint second-most 50+ WT20I score in a calendar year.

Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh had a powerful cameo with 20 runs in 14 balls with the help of two fours and one six. Also, the skipper Harmanpreet Kaur scored 13 not out off 11 balls with one four. 

Jemimah Rodrigues managed her best WT20I score in India

Jemimah Rodrigues completed her 12th WT20I half-century in just 28 balls, which recorded her fastest WT20I fifty. In the last four overs, India Women added 40 runs. She scored 73 runs off 35 balls with the help of nine fours and two sixes, which was her third-highest WT20I score but the highest WT20I score in India. 

Among the Caribbean bowlers, only Karishma Ramharack shined with the ball as she had the bowling figures 4-0-18-2.

Only Qiana Joseph and Deandra Dottin produced some fightback 

In reply, West Indies Women lost their first two wickets before completing the seventh over. While the skipper and opener Hayley Matthews was out in the second over after scoring only one run, Shemaine Campbelle was bowled for 13 runs. 

Another opener Qiana Joseph and the no.4 batter Deandra Dottin had a brief fiery partnership which helped them to stay in the game strongly. They had a 44-run partnership in just 18 balls. Indian bowler Titas Sadhu, who already dismissed Matthews, timely dismissed 49 off 33 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes. Since that wicket, only Dottin fought hard but she couldn't get proper support from the other end.

Dottin scored 52 runs off 28 balls with the help of four fours and three sixes before Sadhu dismissed her to end the last hope for the visitors. Although Sadhu conceded 37 runs in her four overs, she took three important wickets to secure India's comfortable win. Also, Deepti Sharma (2/21) and Radha Yadav (2/28) bagged two wickets each.

India Women’s vice-captain and opener Smriti Mandhana recorded her ninth WODI century and 11th international century on Wednesday during the chase of a 299-run target against the hosts Australia Women. It was her fourth WODI century in this calendar year. 

Already trailing the away three-match WODI series by 2-0, India Women captain Harmanpreet Kaur chose to field first after winning the toss at WACA, Perth. Strong middle-order batting helped Australia Women to score 298/6. While Annabel Sutherland was run out after scoring 110 off 95 balls (nine fours and four sixes), Ashleigh Gardner (50) and captain Tahila McGrath (56*) scored crucial 50s. 

See Also: Wolvaardt dethrones Sciver-Brunt to become the number one batter in the ICC rankings

Smriti Mandhana hit her fourth WODI century in 2024

In reply, only the opener and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana provided a strong fightback with her memorable century. She only got some support when the no.3 batter Harleen Deol scored 39 off 64 balls (four fours), as Mandhana and Deol had a 118-run partnership for the second wicket. After completing her century in 103 balls, Mandhana scored 105 off 109 balls with the help of 14 fours and one six. It was Mandhana's fourth WODI century in 2024, who scored two WODI hundreds in June against South Africa Women in Bengaluru, she also hit another WODI century against New Zealand Women in Ahmedabad last October. 

India lost by 83 runs

Once Mandhana was dismissed, the Indian batters failed to challenge the Aussies, as the visitors were bowled out for 215 runs, losing the last seven wickets only for 26 runs. After her brilliant half-century, Ashleigh Gardner claimed a five-wicket haul (5/30). 

Here are some key stats and records of Smriti Mandhana's latest WODI century knock. 

• It was Smriti Mandhana's fourth WODI century in 2024. She became the first batter to hit more than three WODI centuries in a calendar year. 

• It was Mandhana’s ninth WODI century, which was the highest by any Indian batter in WODI history, as the second most was seven by Mithali Raj. Meanwhile, Mandhana is in joint fourth place for most centuries in WODI history.
  

• With her nine WODI centuries as an opener, Mandhana moved to the joint third place in the list of most WODI centuries by an opener. 
  

• It was Mandhana’s fourth WODI century in the chasing. It equaled the third-most record for most WODI hundreds in the chasing or second innings.
  

• Meanwhile, with her fourth century as an opener in the WODI chasing, Mandhana equaled the record for most centuries as an opener in the WODI chasing as the Sri Lankan opener Chamari Athapaththu solely held the record with four centuries. 
  

• By scoring her latest WODI century in just 103 balls, Mandhana recorded her joint second-fastest WODI century. Her record is a 101-ball WODI century against New Zealand Women at Napier in 2019.
  

• It was the second WODI century for Mandhana in Australia. After the New Zealand star Suzie Bates, Mandhana became the second non-Australian to hit multiple WODI centuries in Australia as both have hit two WODI centuries each.
  

• Mandhana previously hit a WODI century in Australia during the 2016 Hobart WODI against Australia Women when Mandhana scored 102 off 109 balls. With her latest WODI century, Mandhana became the first batter to record two WODI centuries against Australia Women in Australia. 
  

• While Mandhana scored her second WODI century against Australia Women, she became the third opener in WODI history to record multiple centuries against Australia Women. The other two opening names are New Zealand star Suzie Bates (3) and English star Sarah Taylor (2). 
  
  

India Women’s all-format vice-captain Smriti Mandhana is set to begin her new journey in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). 

Smriti Mandhana has been included in the 13-member Adelaide Strikers’ squad for the upcoming WBBL 2024/25 match against the hosts Brisbane Heat. Gabba will host this match on Saturday (November 9).

Mandhana wasn’t available for the early period of the new WBBL season due to national team commitment, as they hosted New Zealand Women in the three-match WODI series. While India Women won the series by 2-1, Smriti Mandhana scored a match-winning century (100) in the series finale. 

Smriti Mandhana has great WBBL records

It will be Mandhana’s fourth season at the WBBL. The left-handed opening batter has scored 784 runs in 38 WBBL matches with an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 130.01. She has also taken three wickets. 

Mandhana scored 89 runs in 12 matches for Brisbane Heat Women during her first WBBL season (2016/17).    

Mandhana’s next WBBL experience was in the 2018/19 season, where the Hobart Hurricanes Women’s batter scored 318 runs in 13 matches with an average of 24.46 and a strike rate of 144.54, including two half-centuries. She was the second-most run-scorer for her team in that season.  

Mandhana’s last WBBL season was the 2021/22 season, where the Sydney Thunders Women’s batter scored 377 runs in 13 games with an average of 34.27 and a strike rate of 130.44, including one century and two half-centuries. The left-handed batter was the leading run-scorer for her team in that season. 

Against Melbourne Renegades Women, Mandhana scored 114 not out in the 2021/22 season, which is the second-highest score in the WBBL history. While it was the highest individual score at that time, Brisbane Heat Women’s Grace Harris broke the record with her 136 not out against Perth Scorchers Women in October 2023. 

Mandhana is going to be a key name for Adelaide Strikers Women

Now, Mandhana is set to make her debut for Adelaide Strikers Women. Strikers are in the last place in the WBBL 2024/25 points table with only two points. In their first four games of the season, Strikers Women won once and lost three other matches.

We’re thrilled to have Smriti Mandhana joining the squad and to see Bridget Patterson back in action as we face the Heat tomorrow night at the Gabba! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gADJG5vrSD

— Adelaide Strikers (@StrikersBBL) November 8, 2024

In a thrilling finale at Ahmedabad, India Women clinched the ODI series 2-1 against New Zealand with a resounding 6-wicket victory. Winning the toss, New Zealand chose to bat but struggled to gain momentum, with the Indian bowlers striking early to leave the visitors at a precarious 88/5. Georgia Plimmer held on with a modest 39, but it was Brooke Halliday’s resilience that defined New Zealand’s innings. Battling the heat, Halliday smashed a career-best 86 off 96 balls, reviving the innings alongside Isabella Gaze (25) in a crucial 64-run stand for the sixth wicket. Late fireworks from Lea Tahuhu (24* off 14) pushed New Zealand’s total to 232 before they were bowled out in 49.5 overs, with Deepti Sharma starring for India with figures of 3/39.

India’s chase was built on a classy century from vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, who scored a commanding 100 off 122 balls. Despite losing Shafali Verma early, Mandhana and Yastika Bhatia added 76 for the second wicket, laying a solid foundation. Mandhana then combined forces with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur in a 117-run stand, showcasing her experience and registering her 8th ODI ton. Though Mandhana fell after her century, Kaur remained steady, steering the team home with an unbeaten 59. Jemimah Rodrigues’s quick cameo added finishing touches, sealing India’s victory in the 45th over and completing a memorable series win.

See Also: In what ways has Rohit Sharma's form in Test cricket fluctuated over recent series?

Breakdown of Smriti Mandhana's Century 

In the third ODI match against New Zealand, Smriti Mandhana showcased her adaptability and prowess against varied bowling attacks, leading India’s successful chase with a match-winning performance. Facing a mixture of left-arm orthodox, right-arm medium, and right-arm offbreak bowlers, Mandhana’s innings reflected her tactical adjustments to each style. Her calculated approach and range of shots made her the backbone of India’s chase, setting up the win that sealed the ODI series.

Mandhana started steadily against the left-arm orthodox bowlers, collecting 18 runs from 20 balls at a strike rate of 90. Though she didn’t hit any half-centuries or boundaries in this phase, she still found gaps for singles and doubles, showing her footwork and timing against spin. With 40% dot balls, she maintained a watchful approach while ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking, allowing her to build a foundation early in the innings.

The most significant portion of her runs came against the right-arm medium bowlers, where she truly dominated. She scored 65 off 66 balls, striking at 98.5, with eight boundaries to her name. This phase saw Mandhana shift gears, capitalizing on the pace and using her powerful drives to find the fence consistently. Even though she lost her wicket twice to the medium-pacers, she ensured that India remained in a strong position, and her sole half-century of the innings highlighted her control over this bowling style.

Against the right-arm offbreak bowlers, Mandhana demonstrated a more conservative approach, scoring 25 off 42 balls at a strike rate of 59.5. With 50% dot balls, she carefully maneuvered around spin, focusing on preserving her wicket and rotating the strike. This phase of her innings reflected her maturity, as she balanced aggression with caution to avoid unnecessary risks, aware of the need to anchor India’s chase.

By the time Mandhana was dismissed, she had already laid a solid platform, leaving minimal work for the lower order. Her ability to handle different bowling types with both caution and aggression underscored her experience and value as a top-order batter. This well-crafted knock not only earned her personal accolades but also secured India’s series win, with Mandhana further establishing herself as a dependable finisher in crucial matches.

See Also: Sydney Sixers Edge Past Melbourne Renegades with Ellyse Perry's Match-Winning Knock

India Women won the home WODI series against New Zealand Women after the home batters dominantly chased the 233-run target in the third WODI. While most of the Indian batters performed well, opener and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana recorded the highest WODI centuries by an India Women's batter. 

New Zealand Women scored 232 runs after winning the toss. In reply, India Women comfortably chased the target in 45.2 overs after losing four wickets. India Women won the three-match WODI series by 2-1. 

New Zealand Women had a weak start

New Zealand Women were struggling at 36/3 as Suzie Bates (4), Lauren Down (1), and captain Sophie Devine (9) lost their wickets in the single-digit scores. Although Georgia Plimmer and Brooke Halliday set a 30-run partnership for the fourth wicket to stabilise the innings, Plimmer was out on 39 off 67 balls with six fours. 

Brooke Halliday was the star in the first innings

While the middle-order batters were battling, Brooke Halliday was batting strongly on the other end. After completing her half-century in 72 balls, she batted aggressively to move the scoreboard faster. Her 86 off 96 balls guided New Zealand Women to set a challenging target for the hosts. Isabella Gaze (25) and Lea Tahuhu (24 not out off 14) also had some useful cameos. 

Deepti Sharma took three wickets

Among the Indian bowlers, Deepti Sharma (3/39) took three wickets and Priya Mishra (2/41) bagged two wickets. Also, Renuka Singh (1/49) and Saima Thakor (1/44) picked up one wicket each. 

Smriti Mandhana and Yastika Bhatia controlled the starting period

In reply, India Women lost the opener Shafali Verma very early, as she was dismissed after scoring 12 on 11 balls. However, another opener Smriti Mandhana finally found her form, while Yastika Bhatia provided solid support from the other end. Mandhana and Bhatia had a crucial 76-run partnership for the second wicket, which put the game in the hosts' favour.

Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur set a solid partnership

After the skipper Sophie Devine dismissed Bhatia for 35 runs, India Women dominated with Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur's third wicket partnership. The visitors failed to control the run flow as the hosts were comfortably chasing the target.

Mandhana and Kaur had a 117-run partnership for the third wicket. After completing her 50 runs in 73 balls, Mandhana completed her eighth WODI century in 121 balls. On the other hand, Kaur completed her half-century in 54 balls. 

Mandhana was dismissed after scoring 100 off 122 balls with 10 fours. Jemimah Rodrigues was in a hurry in the chasing as she scored 22 off 18 balls before losing her wicket on the scores level. Kaur ultimately finished the game with a fantastic four as she was not out on 59 runs off 63 balls with six fours. 

Mandhana broke Mithali Raj's record and reached the world record

By surpassing Mithali Raj's seventh WODI century, Mandhana set a new record for the most WODI centuries by an Indian cricketer with eight centuries. 

It was Mandhana's third WODI century at home, and she scored all these centuries in 2024. While she is the first Indian to score three WODI centuries in a calendar year, she also holds the joint record for most WODI centuries in a calendar year. Mandhana became the eighth player to record three WODI centuries in a calendar year. 

The 2024 Women's T20 World Cup has ended on a high note, with New Zealand being the triumphant side as they got their hands on its first-ever tournament title. This league has seen the clash of the best ten teams across the women's cricket ecosystem.

But, this edition has seen some shocking, unpleasing performances from those campaigners who have been promising in the long run. After a dismal streak of game display, here's the Flop Playing XI of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup. 

1.Smriti Mandhana (India)

Smriti Mandhana, the flamboyant left-handed opener from India, had a forgettable tournament. After leading the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad to their first Women's Premier League title, many expected she could apply the same calibre in this intense tournament. But scoring a mere 75 runs in four innings with one half-century to her name, the No.5 batter wasn't up to the mark and was criticized for her timid approach throughout this forgettable T20 World Cup.

2. Chamari Athapathatu (Sri Lanka) 

Chamari Athapathatu was prominent in the recent timelines of the Women's Cricket forum. Leading her side to win the Women's T20 World Cup Qualifiers and the Asia Cup, everyone had higher expectations from her to perform aggressively with her bat and captaincy. She has made 27 runs in just four matches, which didn't help convert her heroic run in this tournament.

3. Harmanpreet Kaur (India) (Captain)

Though Harmanpreet Kaur has been pretty good with the willow and made some crucial runs by scoring 150 runs at an average of 150 in just four games, the Indian captain did display a disappointing stint as a captain. Primarily due to unclear decision-making, lack of communication and mediocre lead-up to the emerging players, which attributed Kaur to be the captain for this Flop Playing XI of the tournament.

4. Heather Knight (England)

Heather Knight was one of the players to check out from the English side, thanks to her associations with the team for quite a long period of time. Being a reliable all-rounder, she couldn't convert it into crucial runs and wickets during the recent tournament. Knight scored just 27 runs in four matches, summing up her poor outing in the competitive league.   

5. Jemimah Rodrigues (India)

Jemimah Rodrigues, another Indian player on the women's World Cup flop list, had a perplexing campaign in which her batting position was never established. She was shifted up and down the order throughout the tournament, scoring only 68 runs in 4 innings.

6. Marizanne Kapp (South Africa)

Marizanne Kapp had a dismal campaign with the bat and the ball as South Africa advanced to the final. Kapp scored just 90 runs in six innings. Prominent for her lethal and hostile pace, Kapp took just a mere five wickets in six games. Kapp's poor performance was a significant factor in South Africa's defeat in the final.

Also Read: Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Best Playing XI of the Tournament

7. Richa Ghosh (India) (Wicketkeeper)

Richa Ghosh was expected to perform admirably for India with the bat and behind the stumps, but she performed horribly. Her faulty record-keeping assured India's poor performance on the pitch. Ghosh only managed 19 runs with the bat in four innings.

8. Fahima Khatun (Bangladesh)

Fahima Khatun from the Bangladesh side was expected to turn the tables with her spinning ability, but it didn't work in her arsenal's way. She was able to have four wickets on her hat in five matches, with a decent spinner's economy of over six.

9. Deepti Sharma (India)

Indian All-Rounder Deepti Sharma also disappointed fans with her performance, scoring only a bleak 49 runs in four games. In the critical encounters, Deepti wasn't up to the mark and didn't prove to be instrumental in such scenarios. She wasn't very appealing with her spinning abilities, as she took just four wickets in four games.

10. Rachel Slater (Scotland)

During the Women's T20 World Cup Qualifiers, Scotland's quickie, Rachel Slater, was meant to be promising, as she was the highest wicket-taker of that league. But, on the game's main stage, she was disappointed with her pace as she scalped just two wickets in four matches.

11. Ayabonga Khaka (South Africa)

Ayabonga Khaka has been one of the most reliable pacers for the runners-up Proteas side in the long-run aspects. But, based on this tournament, she didn't play much of a pivotal role in changing the game for her side with her quick pace. Khaka was able to scalp a mere four wickets in six games, which doesn't act synonymous, keeping her experience in mind.

India’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign in the UAE was riddled with challenges, one of the most notable being the underwhelming performance of vice-captain Smriti Mandhana. Known for her elegance at the crease and often touted as India's best batter, much was expected from her in this crucial tournament. However, Mandhana failed to deliver, managing only 75 runs across four innings, with an average of 18.75 and a strike rate of 94.93. These figures were far below her usual standards, and fans were left disappointed. Her sole bright spot came in the form of a fifty against Sri Lanka, which was her only significant contribution. In the other matches, she struggled to find rhythm, falling short of expectations, and could not anchor India’s innings when it mattered most.

What made her struggles even more concerning was her consistent vulnerability against spin. Leading up to the World Cup, Mandhana had shown signs of trouble in the warm-up matches, where she was dismissed cheaply by spinners in both games. Unfortunately, the pattern persisted in the tournament itself, where spinners accounted for three of her four dismissals, and she was also run out once. As a key player for India, her inability to navigate spin bowling was a major factor in the team’s overall batting woes, raising questions about her preparation and form.

See Also: What led to India Women's early exit in the T20 world cup 2024?

Smriti Mandhana’s Wake-Up Call in T20 World Cup 2024

Smriti Mandhana’s performance in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 revealed a series of struggles that defined India’s campaign. Starting as a key player and vice-captain, expectations were high for the experienced opener to lead India’s charge. However, her performances fell well below her usual standards. In four matches, her overall contribution was limited to 75 runs, with a mixed bag of strike rates across different stages of her innings. This tournament exposed significant gaps in her ability to build and accelerate innings, particularly against spin, which played a role in her downfall.

Against New Zealand, Mandhana started relatively well, scoring 11 runs in the first 10 balls at a strike rate of 110, showcasing some intent. However, her ability to build on that momentum faltered, as she managed just 1 more run in the next 10 balls, with her strike rate plummeting to 50. Her early dismissal put India on the back foot, a trend that persisted throughout the tournament. She failed to capitalize on the powerplay, leaving her teammates to shoulder the burden of run-scoring.

Her struggles were even more evident in the game against Pakistan. Mandhana’s start was cautious, as she scored 6 runs in 10 balls at a strike rate of 60. However, her inability to rotate the strike and find boundaries after this start hurt India. In the next 10-ball phase, she could only add 1 run, dropping her strike rate drastically to 16.67. This failure to push the scoring rate or anchor the innings became a recurring issue, as Mandhana fell short of providing the platform India desperately needed.

The match against Sri Lanka offered a brief glimpse of Mandhana’s usual prowess. After scoring 6 runs in the first 10 balls at a modest strike rate of 60, she picked up the pace in the next phase. She added 20 runs at an impressive strike rate of 200, signaling a return to form. However, this was not the end of her contribution—Mandhana managed to score 24 more runs beyond the 20-ball mark, finishing with a strike rate of 133.33. Despite this strong knock, her performance was a lone bright spot in an otherwise lackluster tournament.

In the final match against Australia, Mandhana's struggles resurfaced. She managed just 5 runs in the first 10 balls at a strike rate of 50. Once again, her innings ended prematurely, leaving India without a solid start. This match epitomized her tournament woes—trouble against quality bowling, lack of fluency, and vulnerability to spinners, who accounted for most of her dismissals in the World Cup.

Overall, Mandhana’s performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup highlighted key areas of concern. While she showed sparks of brilliance against Sri Lanka, her inability to rotate strike, accelerate consistently, and handle spin left India in difficult positions. Her form slump was one of the major reasons behind India’s struggles, raising questions about her preparation and adaptability in pressure situations.

See Also: A Breakdown of India’s Stellar Batting Performance