On July 18, the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground witnessed a heartwarming moment as Team India paused their preparations to celebrate the birthday of one of their most cherished stars—Smriti Mandhana.
The BCCI Women’s official account captured the behind-the-scenes celebration, where smiles, laughter, and a genuine display of team camaraderie took center stage. It wasn’t just about cake and candles—it was a reflection of Smriti’s place within this squad: not just as a world-class batter, but as a beloved vice-captain and leader who commands respect through humility and warmth.
The squad gathered in a cheerful circle. Laughter echoed across the iconic ground. A cake was brought in, and Smriti, beaming with her trademark smile, was serenaded with heartfelt wishes from her teammates and support staff.
What made the moment even more special was the setting—Lord’s, the spiritual home of cricket. It served as a perfect backdrop for celebrating a cricketer who’s become synonymous with elegance, consistency, and grace under pressure.
In a sweet highlight from the clip shared by BCCI, Smriti’s close friend and teammate Jemimah Rodrigues was seen clicking pictures of the birthday girl, fully immersed in the celebration.
With her usual playful flair, Jemimah turned to the media crew and joked:
“Send me the pictures, it’s her birthday!”
It was a glimpse into the friendships and joy that fuel this team—a squad that plays hard, laughs harder, and supports each other unconditionally.
As Smriti celebrates another year, it’s not just the celebrations that deserve attention—but the scale of what she’s achieved in the past decade, especially the last 18 months. Her growth has not just been linear—it’s been historic.
In June, Smriti Mandhana became the first Indian woman cricketer to score centuries in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, joining an elite group in world cricket. She also became the fastest Indian woman to cross 4500 ODI runs, adding yet another milestone to her name. In the T20I format, she became just the second Indian woman to register a century, underlining her explosive prowess.
Currently, Smriti sits atop the ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings and holds the No. 3 spot in the T20I rankings, showcasing her remarkable consistency across formats.
In the ongoing ODI series against England, Smriti surpassed 9000 international runs, becoming only the fifth woman in history—and the second Indian—to achieve the feat. Alongside Pratika Rawal, she also brought up 1,000 runs as an opening pair, making them one of the most consistent partnerships in the women’s ODI circuit today.
Mandhana bats with the kind of elegance that has long been the trademark of left-handers. Her drives are fluid, her pull shots authoritative, and her presence at the crease, calming. Over the years, she’s added power to finesse, making her a complete batter capable of adapting across formats and conditions.
But beyond numbers, it’s Smriti’s authenticity, humility, and natural leadership that leave the deepest impact—on teammates, fans, and the sport itself.
At 29, Smriti Mandhana is far from done. She continues to evolve, inspire, and redefine what’s possible in women’s cricket. Her rise mirrors the growth of Indian women’s cricket on the global stage—bold, unstoppable, and filled with belief.
As the team looks to create history in England, Smriti’s presence—both as a run-machine and a locker room leader—remains a cornerstone of India’s aspirations.
