Is there anything that Smriti Mandhana cannot do?
During India’s successful tour to South Africa earlier this year, she erupted with thunderous blows with the bat to register match-winning fifties in the ODIs and even T20s.
She was the Women’s team’s weapon of choice that gunned down a Stafanie Taylor-powered West Indies Women’s in the ICC 2017 Women’s World Cup. And now, she’s made India’s hearts swell with pride again.
Smriti all set to kick up a “Western Storm” kia super league 2018
Now, Smriti Mandhana, fresh from having played some useful cameos in the just-concluded Women’s Asia Cup has scripted another first for Indian Women’s game. In becoming the only player to have been signed up by famous English league Kia Super League 2018, there’s a new glamorous weather in Smriti Mandhana’s hat.
Among the cricketers who haven’t lost any interest or passion whatsoever, keeping her head well inside the India cap, Smriti Mandhana’s career is smitten with early fame and notable achievements. Western Storm- only a few hours ago- revealed that they had signed ebullient Indian opening batswoman for their 2018 season.
Sixes will be struck, some will make contact with the audiences in attendance and some will land outside the star-struck grounds as Smriti Mandhana will dance down the track in the Kia Super League 2018.
Smriti Mandhana’s exciting international record
For any cricketer, this would be a distinguished achievement with all regards to a fairly young career. At 21, Smriti Mandhana is gaining traction and making the world crawl closer in admiration than few other cricketers her age. A look at her sterling present record warrants appreciation for the latest chapter in her book:
The 21-year-old India opener has scored over 826 runs with a high score of 76 in the 40 IT20s that she has played in. She has also scored 1464 runs in 41 ODIs at an average of 37.53 with a high score of 135.
Far from being ordinary, these are numbers that would move most opening batswomen from the edge of their seats in admiration. A world away from often drab flat batting decks, the swing and movement on offer will offer some interesting lessons and new learnings for the keen cricketer.
None other than the Western Storm’s coach, Trevor Griffin shared his excitement on having signed up among the fiercest strikers of the cricket ball. In a statement, Mr Griffin expressed,” “We are really excited that Smriti will be joining us. She is one of the brightest young talents in the game at the moment. Although she is still young, she has a great deal of experience of the game at the highest level and we believe that she will prove to be an excellent signing.”
July all set to be an exciting month for English Women’s cricket
And now, with Smriti Mandhana on board, it appears that Western Storm, part of Gloucestershire Cricket, are going to be an even more dominant T20 outfit to beat. They are, under the immensely valuable leadership of Heather Knight, not only the title defenders of the Kia Super League but are expected to submit a fresh title bid for the series in 2018.
Slated to take place in July, the Kia Super League is all set to unfold some nervy battles between the likes of Surrey Stars, Southern Vipers, Yorkshire Diamonds and, Loughborough Lightning.
The month of July- will once again- have something enticing on offer where the English Women’s cricket is concerned and an admirable name from India will be contesting for top honours from the meat of the bat.