If you needed a reminder of just how brilliant Smriti Mandhana is with a bat in her hands, Manchester Super Giants’ latest clash against Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred delivered it in stunning fashion. The Indian superstar put on a batting display that had fans on their feet and left the opposition searching for answers.
Mandhana walked to the crease and simply took over. Scoring an incredible 88 runs off just 50 balls — and finishing without losing her wicket — she carried her team to a well-earned four-wicket victory. It wasn’t just about the numbers, though. It was the sheer elegance and confidence with which she dismantled the Sunrisers’ bowling attack that made this innings truly special.
The Hundred has consistently been a platform where women’s cricket shines brightly, and Mandhana is exactly the kind of player who elevates the entire tournament. Her ability to rotate the strike, find the gaps, and then suddenly shift gears to put away the bad ball is what separates her from the crowd. Against Sunrisers Leeds, she demonstrated all of those qualities in abundance.
For Manchester Super Giants, this win is a massive confidence booster. Chasing targets can often be a nervy affair, especially in a fast-paced format like The Hundred where momentum shifts happen in the blink of an eye. But with Mandhana anchoring the innings from start to finish, the team never really looked like they’d come up short. She absorbed pressure brilliantly while those around her could play with relative freedom.
Sunrisers Leeds, for their part, will be frustrated. They fought hard and created moments, but when a batter is in the kind of form Mandhana displayed, there’s very little a bowling side can do except tip their hats and regroup for the next game.
Women’s cricket continues to grow in popularity, and performances like this are a big reason why. Mandhana has long been considered one of the best openers in the world, and every time she steps onto a big stage, she reinforces that reputation without hesitation.
All eyes will now be on her next outing for the Super Giants. If this innings is anything to go by, fans are in for a real treat for the rest of the tournament. Don’t blink — you won’t want to miss a single ball.
