Smriti Mandhana becomes second Indian with 3,000 WT20I runs
Star Indian batter Smriti Mandhana has completed 3,000 runs in Women's T20Is. The Indian opener reached the mark in the 1st WT20I against Australia at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. Mandhana entered the match, requiring two runs for this mark. She has now become only the second Indian woman with 3,000 runs in T20I cricket. Here are the stats.
The fastest Indian woman with this feat
Mandhana touched the 3,000-run mark in her 122nd WT20I innings. She is now the fastest Indian to this mark. Her captain Harmanpreet Kaur remains the only other Indian woman with this feat. She reached this landmark in 135 innings in February last year. Overall, Mandhana is the sixth woman to have completed 3,000 runs in the shortest international format.
23rd half-century from the blade of Mandhana
Mandhana hammered 54 from 52 balls in the first WT20I. In 126 WT20Is, she owns 3,052 runs at an average of 27.49. The tally includes 23 half-centuries. Notably, Mandhana is yet to score her maiden WT20I century. She has a healthy strike rate of 122.08 in the format.
Over 1,000 WT20I runs overseas
Mandhana has scored most of her WT20I runs away from home (home of the opposition). As per ESPNcricinfo, Mandhana has 1,212 runs from 47 matches at 29.56 in this regard. The tally includes 10 half-centuries. Mandhana has slammed six WT20I fifties at neutral venues, with 967 runs in 41 matches at 27.62. The left-handed batter has scored 873 runs at home, averaging 24.94.
India beat Australia in the first match
Despite a strong start, Australia lost four wickets in the Powerplay after being put to bat. A 79-run partnership between Ellyse Perry and Phoebe Litchfield brought Australia back into the contest. India aced the death overs, bowling Australia out for 141. In response, Mandhana and Shafali Verma were off to a flier. Both players slammed their respective fifties. India Women won by nine wickets.
Second-highest opening WT20I partnership for India
Mandhana and Shafali added 137 runs, the second-highest opening partnership for India Women in T20I cricket. The highest partnership in this regard also belongs to Mandhana and Shafali, who together racked up 143 against West Indies in 2019. Interestingly, the duo now has three century-plus stands while opening for India Women. The tally also includes 11 fifties.
