Smriti Mandhana made historical past on Friday, April 17, changing into India’s main run-scorer in T20Is in the course of the first girls’s T20I towards South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban.
The left-hander went previous Rohit Sharma’s tally after India had been requested to bat first. Mandhana reached the milestone with a single off Sune Luus, having drawn stage with Rohit on 4,231 runs in the course of the Australia tour earlier this 12 months.
South Africa vs India, 1st Girls’s T20I Updates | rating card
Nonetheless, it was a short keep on the crease for the India vice-captain, who managed 13 runs off 14 balls, together with a six, earlier than being dismissed by Ayabonga Khaka.
General, Mandhana now has 4,244 runs in 161 T20Is at a median of 30.53 and a strike price of 124.45, together with one century and 33 half-centuries.
Rohit Sharma, who retired from T20Is after India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, completed his profession with 4,231 runs from 159 matches, that includes 5 centuries and 32 fifties.
HOW SMRITI MANDHANA PLAYED AGAINST PROTEAS
Mandhana’s innings at Kingsmead was a mixture of fluency, intent, and a short lapse that minimize brief a promising begin. Opening the innings alongside Shafali Verma, she seemed in good contact from the outset, working the ball into gaps and maintaining the scoreboard transferring.
She acquired off the mark with a crisp drive to long-off and shortly adopted it up with a neatly timed flick via midwicket, exhibiting early management towards the brand new ball.
As her innings progressed, Mandhana started to increase her vary. A standout second got here when she picked up Chloe Tryon’s size early, swiveling cleanly to ship a robust six over backward sq. leg, a shot that highlighted her timing and authority.
She additionally rotated strike successfully, sharing a 46-run opening stand with Shafali Verma in simply 5 overs, offering India with a brisk begin. Mandhana seemed composed towards each tempo and spin, mixing strong protection with selective aggression, particularly when supplied width.
Nonetheless, simply after Shafali’s dismissal to Tumi Sekhukhune, the momentum shifted. Mandhana tried to drive a full supply from Ayabonga Khaka outdoors off stump however didn’t maintain it down, providing a pointy catch to Laura Wolvaardt at cowl.
Mandhana will likely be seeking to get amongst the runs when India play the second T20I on Sunday, April 19 on the identical venue.
– ends