Smriti Mandhana has once again stamped her authority on world cricket — delivering a string of record-breaking performances in 2025 that culminated in India’s maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title. The elegant left-handed batter’s brilliance has not only redefined her legacy, but also galvanized Indian women’s cricket into a new era.
Here’s a deep dive into her journey, milestones, and what makes her 2025 one for the history books.
A Vintage Campaign Fueled by Relentless Runs
Smriti Mandhana’s 2025 has been nothing short of phenomenal. Throughout the Women’s ODI World Cup, she was among India’s most consistent performers — anchoring innings, launching attacks, and rewriting record books.
In the final against South Africa on 2 November, she made history by becoming the highest run-scorer for India in a single Women’s ODI World Cup edition, racking up 434 runs, thereby surpassing Mithali Raj’s 2017 tally of 409.
Milestone After Milestone: Records That Fell
Fastest to 5,000 WODI Runs
Mandhana reached 5,000 Women’s ODI runs in just 112 innings, making her the fastest Indian — male or female — to reach that mark. NDTV Sports She broke Virat Kohli’s previous record, who had reached the same landmark in 114 innings. NDTV Sports+1
First to 1,000 ODI Runs in a Calendar Year
During the World Cup clash against Australia in Visakhapatnam, Mandhana smashed 80 off 66 balls (nine fours, three sixes) to become the first-ever woman to score 1,000 or more runs in Women’s ODIs in a single calendar year. NDTV Sports
Centuries and Classic Masterstrokes
- Against New Zealand in Navi Mumbai, she played a masterful 109 off 95 balls, helping India cross 200 in a must-win match. The Times of India+1
- That knock saw her equal some international records and marked India’s first century of the tournament. The Times of India
- Earlier in the year, she scored her fastest ODI hundred by an Indian woman, fueling her dominant run of form. India Today
World Cup Victory: Emotional, Historic, Defining
The climax of Mandhana’s year came with that sweet, long-awaited World Cup win for India on home soil. The final — a 52-run victory over South Africa at DY Patil Stadium — marked a watershed moment. Reuters+1
Mandhana later highlighted the emotional weight of this triumph. In a candid moment, she revealed she had struggled to sleep for 45 days throughout the tournament, part of a deeply personal journey of healing from past heartbreaks. India Today
Recognition Off the Field: Awards & Accolades
Her stellar performances earned her top honors: at the BCCI Awards 2025, Mandhana was named Best International Women’s Cricketer, her third time winning the award. The Economic Times
In addition, she received global recognition in the 2025 Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, earning the women’s leading cricketer title. Reuters
Why 2025 Is Different — And Defining — for Mandhana
- Consistency under pressure: From big tournaments to bilateral series, she’s stayed in top gear.
- Growth in leadership: As a senior voice in the squad, her contributions go beyond her batting — she remains a focal point of India’s batting unit.
- Record-breaking flair: She blends elegance with aggression, breaking records while keeping her signature style.
- Resilience & redemption: Having faced heartbreaks in past ICC playoffs, Mandhana and her teammates used that pain to build a champion mindset.
What’s Next for Mandhana & Indian Women’s Cricket
- Sustaining the momentum — With the World Cup now won, India will aim to build on this platform. Mandhana’s form will be crucial in upcoming ICC events.
- Leadership role expansion — Given her consistency, she could take on more strategic responsibility, perhaps even regular leadership in future tournaments.
- Growing the game — As a face of women’s cricket, Mandhana has the potential to inspire a new generation; her impact off the field may grow as much as on it.
- Balancing formats — With success in both bilateral and world stage matches, she’ll continue to juggle formats. Managing fitness, workloads, and form will remain key.
Legacy in the Making
Smriti Mandhana’s 2025 isn’t just a year of records — it’s potentially the defining chapter of her career. She has achieved:
- Fastest 5,000 WODI runs by an Indian.
- First woman to cross 1,000 WODI runs in a calendar year.
- Highest single-edition World Cup runs by an Indian.
- A long-coveted World Cup triumph as a senior figure.
In doing so, she’s not just built her own legend — she’s helped India’s women’s cricket reach new heights.
50 “People Also Ask” (PAA) Questions + Short Answers
- Who is Smriti Mandhana?
Smriti Mandhana is a leading Indian women’s cricketer, known for her graceful left-handed batting and significant contributions in international cricket. - What major records did Mandhana break in 2025?
In 2025, she became the fastest Indian to reach 5,000 WODI runs and the first woman to score 1,000+ WODI runs in a calendar year. - How many runs did Mandhana score in the 2025 Women’s World Cup?
She scored 434 runs in the tournament, the most by any Indian in a single edition. India Today+1 - Did Smriti Mandhana win the 2025 Women’s World Cup?
Yes, she was a key part of the Indian team that won their first-ever Women’s World Cup on 2 November 2025. Reuters - How many innings did Mandhana take to reach 5,000 WODI runs?
She reached 5,000 WODI runs in just 112 innings, a record for an Indian. - What was Mandhana’s knock vs Australia in Visakhapatnam in 2025?
She scored 80 off 66 balls, including nine fours and three sixes. NDTV Sports+1 - Has Mandhana scored a century in the 2025 World Cup?
Yes, she scored 109 off 95 balls against New Zealand. The Times of India - What award did Mandhana receive at BCCI Awards 2025?
She won Best International Women’s Cricketer for her outstanding year. The Economic Times - Did Smriti Mandhana receive any international honors in 2025?
Yes, she was honored in Wisden 2025 as one of the top women’s cricketers. Reuters - How did Mandhana feel after winning the World Cup?
She described the win as deeply emotional, admitting she couldn’t sleep for 45 days during the tournament. India Today - Whose record did Mandhana break for most runs in a World Cup edition by an Indian?
She broke Mithali Raj’s record of 409 runs from the 2017 World Cup. India Today+1 - Is Mandhana the fastest woman overall to reach 5,000 WODI runs?
She is the fastest Indian; globally, she trails some other international players. NDTV Sports - Why is Mandhana considered crucial to Indian women’s cricket?
Her consistency, big-match temperament, and ability to play both anchor and aggressive roles make her central to India’s batting strategy. - Has Mandhana scored centuries in all formats?
Yes — as of 2025, she has centuries in all three formats of international women’s cricket. Wikipedia - Did Mandhana also perform well in bilateral series before the World Cup?
Yes — her form against Australia prior to the World Cup was excellent, including a 50-ball century. India Today - How many ODI centuries has Mandhana scored in her career?
As of November 2025, she has 14 ODI hundreds, putting her among the top in women’s cricket. Wikipedia+1 - What kind of partnership did Mandhana have vs New Zealand in World Cup 2025?
She shared a 212-run opening partnership with Pratika Rawal, helping secure a semifinal spot. The Guardian - What is Mandhana’s batting style?
Elegant and technically sound, Mandhana blends classical driving with modern strokeplay, often scoring through cover drives and aerial shots. - How old was Mandhana when she broke the 5,000-run record?
She was 29 years old when she became the fastest Indian to 5,000 WODI runs. NDTV Sports - Has Mandhana been recognized as a global cricketer?
Yes, her outstanding 2024–2025 season earned her recognition in the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack. Reuters - Was Mandhana player of the match in any key World Cup games?
While she played crucial innings (like her 109 vs NZ), specifics of “player of the match” awards vary by match reports. - How did Mandhana contribute in World Cup knockout matches?
Her consistent starts and big runs at the top provided stability and momentum, especially in high-pressure knockout games. - What is Mandhana’s role in the India team?
She plays as an opening batter and also holds leadership weight as a senior, influential figure in the squad. - Is Mandhana likely to play in future ICC tournaments?
Given her form and fitness, she is highly likely to be a major part of India’s plans in upcoming ICC events. - What makes Mandhana’s 2025 season special?
It’s special because of the rare combination of record-breaking individual achievements and team success — a World Cup win. - Has Mandhana scored more than one World Cup century?
In the 2025 World Cup, she scored one century (against New Zealand). The Times of India - What challenges did Mandhana face before 2025?
She had experienced heartbreaks in earlier tournaments, including missed titles and semi-final exits. - Where is Mandhana from?
Mandhana was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, and is one of India’s most prominent women cricketers. - Who are some of Mandhana’s women cricket contemporaries?
Players like Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, and Shafali Verma often feature alongside her in India’s squad. - Does Mandhana play domestic cricket?
Yes — she plays domestic cricket in India and has also featured in franchise leagues such as the Women’s Premier League (WPL). - How has Mandhana’s form influenced Indian women’s cricket popularity?
Her performances, especially at big events like the World Cup, have helped raise the profile of women’s cricket in India and inspire young aspirants. - Has Mandhana ever captained India?
While she has served in leadership roles, as of 2025 she has not been the regular full-time captain. - What is Mandhana’s strike rate like in ODIs?
Her strike rate often hovers in a healthy range, combining aggression with classical technique — a key to her success. - Does Mandhana bowl?
Mandhana is primarily a batter and does not regularly bowl in international cricket. - What are Mandhana’s strength areas in batting?
Her strong points include cover drives, back-foot punch, ability to accelerate, and playing under pressure. - How does Mandhana perform in high-pressure games?
Very well — 2025 World Cup performances prove she thrives when the stakes are high, delivering consistently. - Will Mandhana continue to break records?
Given her current trajectory, it is highly likely she will add more records in future years. - Does Mandhana contribute to team morale and leadership?
Yes, her experience, calm temperament, and big-match temperament make her a role model and senior voice in the dressing room. - Has Mandhana played T20 cricket too?
Yes — she plays T20 internationally and in the Women’s Premier League, showing her versatility across formats. - How has Mandhana’s career evolved?
From a talented youngster to a world-class batter, her career has seen steady growth, increasingly defined by leadership and records. - What is Mandhana’s impact off the field?
She inspires many young girls to take up cricket and has become a marketable icon for women’s sport in India. - Did Mandhana’s World Cup win influence BCCI’s support for women’s cricket?
While support was already growing, her and the team’s success likely accelerates investment and visibility for women’s cricket in India. - What’s next for Mandhana after the World Cup?
She’ll likely focus on future ICC events, bilateral series, and possibly mentoring younger players in the team. - Is Mandhana injury-prone?
There’s no major injury reported in 2025; she appears to have maintained fitness through a grueling schedule. - Has Mandhana played overseas?
Yes — apart from Indian domestic cricket, she has experience in international franchise leagues. - How do fans view Mandhana after 2025?
She’s widely celebrated as one of Indian women’s cricket’s greatest batters and a central figure in their World Cup success. - What records does Mandhana share with global players?
She shares many landmarks with top international batters; for example, she ties with Meg Lanning for most total international centuries as of 2025. Wikipedia - How mentally strong is Mandhana?
Very — her reflection on sleeplessness and emotional weight during the World Cup shows resilience and mental fortitude. - Will Mandhana retire soon?
There’s no indication she’s retiring. Given her form and ambition, she likely has several more years ahead. - Why is Smriti Mandhana considered a modern cricketing legend?
Because she merges technique, flair, consistency, and leadership, and in 2025 achieved historic individual and team milestones — a rare perfect storm.
