Top 5 knocks of Smriti Mandhana that defined her career in International cricket

Smriti Mandhana has become one of the biggest names in women's cricket with her elegant batting, consistency, and match-winning performances. As she celebrates her 30th birthday, it is the perfect time to look back at a career filled with remarkable achievements. From making her international debut as a teenager to becoming one of India's most dependable batters, Mandhana has created several memorable moments that have inspired cricket fans around the world.

The left-handed opener made her international debut in 2013 and quickly established herself as a key player across all three formats. Over the years, she has broken numerous records, including becoming the first Indian woman to score centuries in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. 

Her outstanding performances in 2024 and 2025 further cemented her place among the finest batters in women's cricket. She also led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their first-ever Women's Premier League title in 2024, adding another milestone to her impressive career.

Mandhana's journey has been defined by several unforgettable innings that changed matches and strengthened her reputation as a world-class batter. From her maiden ODI century to her record-breaking hundred against England, each knock showcased her class, composure, and ability to perform under pressure. 

In this article, we take a look at the Top 5 knocks of Smriti Mandhana that defined her career in international cricket and explore why these innings remain some of the finest of her career.

5. 86 Off 62 Balls vs New Zealand (2019)

Smriti Mandhana produced one of the finest T20I innings of her career against New Zealand in Hamilton in 2019. Chasing a target of 162, the left-handed opener scored a brilliant 86 off 62 balls, including 12 fours and one six. Her innings kept India in the chase until the final over and showcased her ability to perform under pressure.

Mandhana combined elegance with controlled aggression throughout her innings. She anchored the chase while maintaining an excellent scoring rate, ensuring India stayed in the contest despite losing wickets at regular intervals. At the time, it was the highest score of her T20I career and one of her most memorable knocks in the format.

Although India eventually fell just two runs short, Mandhana's outstanding innings was the highlight of the match. Her fearless stroke play and determination earned praise from fans and experts alike. Despite the defeat, this knock remains one of the Top 5 Knocks Of Smriti Mandhana In International Cricket.

Brief Score

New Zealand Women: 161/7 (20 overs) (Sophie Devine 72; Deepti Sharma 2/20)
India Women: 159/4 (20 overs) (Smriti Mandhana 86; Sophie Devine 2/21)
Result: New Zealand Women won by 2 runs.

4. 125 Off 63 Balls vs Australia (2025)

Smriti Mandhana played one of the most explosive innings of her career against Australia in Delhi in 2025. Chasing a massive target of 413 runs, the Indian opener smashed 125 off just 63 balls, hitting 17 fours and five sixes. She dominated the Australian bowling attack from the start and gave India hope in what looked like an impossible chase.

Mandhana attacked the bowlers with fearless stroke play and reached her century in quick time. She shared important partnerships with Harmanpreet Kaur and kept India's scoring rate high throughout her stay at the crease. Her aggressive batting was the biggest positive for India despite the huge target set by Australia.

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Although India were eventually bowled out for 369 and lost the match by 43 runs, Mandhana's magnificent century was the highlight of the contest. Her innings proved that she could take on the world's best bowling attack and deliver under pressure. It remains one of the Top 5 Knocks Of Smriti Mandhana In International Cricket.

Brief Score

Australia Women: 412 (Beth Mooney 138, Georgia Voll 81; Arundhati Reddy 3/86)
India Women: 369 (Smriti Mandhana 125 off 63, Deepti Sharma 72; Kim Garth 3/69)
Result: Australia Women won by 43 runs.

3. 117 Off 91 Balls vs Australia (2025)

Smriti Mandhana delivered another masterclass against Australia in the second ODI of the 2025 series at Mullanpur. The Indian opener scored a brilliant 117 off 91 balls, smashing 14 fours and four sixes. Her innings was a perfect mix of controlled aggression and elegant stroke play, helping India post a competitive total.

Mandhana paced her innings beautifully and controlled the game from the start. She built valuable partnerships with her teammates, rotated the strike regularly, and accelerated at the right time. Her knock gave India the perfect platform, while the bowlers backed it up with an outstanding performance to put Australia under pressure throughout the chase.

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India went on to bowl Australia out for 190 and secured a memorable 102-run victory, their biggest win over Australia in Women's ODIs by margin of runs. Mandhana was named the Player of the Match for her outstanding century, which remains one of the Top 5 Knocks Of Smriti Mandhana In International Cricket.

Brief Score

India Women: 292 (Smriti Mandhana 117 off 91, Deepti Sharma 40; Darcie Brown 3/42)
Australia Women: 190 (Annabel Sutherland 45, Ellyse Perry 44; Kranti Goud 3/28, Deepti Sharma 2/24)
Result: India Women won by 102 runs.

2. 127 Off 216 Balls vs Australia (2021)

Smriti Mandhana produced one of the greatest innings of her Test career during India's historic pink-ball Test against Australia at Carrara Oval in 2021. Opening the batting, she scored a magnificent 127 off 216 balls, hitting 22 fours and one six. Against one of the strongest bowling attacks in women's cricket, Mandhana displayed excellent patience, technique, and determination to guide India to a commanding first-innings total.

Mandhana built the innings with great composure and shared a valuable 93-run opening partnership with Shafali Verma. She handled the Australian bowlers with confidence and played elegant strokes all around the ground. Her century laid the foundation for India's 377/8 declared, putting the visitors in a strong position in the only pink-ball Test played between the two teams.

The match eventually ended in a draw, but Mandhana's brilliant century was widely regarded as the standout performance of the contest. Her ability to bat for long periods in challenging conditions proved her class in the longest format of the game. This memorable knock remains one of the Top 5 Knocks Of Smriti Mandhana In International Cricket.

Brief Score

India Women: 377/8d & 135/3d (Smriti Mandhana 127 & 31, Deepti Sharma 66; Sophie Molineux 2/45)
Australia Women: 241/9d & 36/2 (Ellyse Perry 68*; Pooja Vastrakar 3/49, Jhulan Goswami 2/33)
Result: Match drawn.

1.135 Off 129 Balls vs South Africa (2018)

Smriti Mandhana produced one of the greatest ODI innings of her career against South Africa at Kimberley in 2018. Opening the batting, she scored a magnificent 135 off 129 balls, including 14 fours and one six. Her brilliant century helped India post a strong total of 302/3 and put the visitors in complete control of the match.

After India lost an early wicket, Mandhana anchored the innings with confidence and played elegant strokes all around the ground. She built important partnerships with Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Veda Krishnamurthy, ensuring India maintained the momentum throughout the innings. Her knock was a perfect balance of patience and aggression, making it one of the finest ODI centuries of her career.

South Africa were unable to chase the target and were bowled out for 124, giving India a dominant 178-run victory. The win also helped India seal the ODI series, while Jhulan Goswami became the first woman to claim 200 ODI wickets during the match. Mandhana's outstanding century remains one of the Top 5 Knocks Of Smriti Mandhana In International Cricket and is widely regarded as one of her best ODI performances.

Brief Score

India Women: 302/3 (Smriti Mandhana 135 off 129, Harmanpreet Kaur 55*; Sune Luus 1/31)
South Africa Women: 124 (Lizelle Lee 73; Poonam Yadav 4/24, Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2/14)
Result: India Women won by 178 runs.

Conclusion

The Top 5 Knocks Of Smriti Mandhana In International Cricket highlight the journey of one of India's greatest women cricketers. From match-winning ODI centuries to a memorable pink-ball Test hundred, each innings showcases her talent, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure. These performances have played a key role in India's success and have earned her a special place in world cricket.

As Smriti Mandhana continues to break records and achieve new milestones, fans can look forward to many more memorable innings in the years to come. Her elegant batting style, fearless approach, and match-winning performances have already secured her legacy as one of the finest players in the history of women's cricket. These  5 knocks of Smriti Mandhana in international cricket will always stand as a testament to her remarkable career and extraordinary talent.