Smriti Mandhana is perhaps the most popular Indian woman cricketer ever. This left-handed opener has redefined women’s cricket in India and continues to be a force to reckon with on the international stage.
But how much do you really know about this cricket sensation? From her humble beginnings in Mumbai to becoming the highest-paid player in the Women’s Premier League, Mandhana’s journey is nothing short of inspiring.
Smriti Mandhana Biography
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Smriti Mandhana |
| Date of Birth | 18 July 1996 |
| Age | 28 years (as of 2025) |
| Height | 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 m) |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, India |
| Batting Style | Left-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm medium |
| Role | Opening batter |
| Jersey Number | 18 |
| Current Net Worth | INR 33 Crore |
| Boyfriend | Palash Muchhal |
Born on July 18, 1996, in the bustling city of Mumbai, Smriti Mandhana has always been destined for greatness. At 28 years old, Smriti stands tall at 5 feet 4 inches, but her presence on the cricket field is much larger than her physical stature suggests.
What makes Mandhana special isn’t just her talent—it’s her approach to the game. She’s the kind of player who makes batting look effortless, almost like she’s having a casual conversation with the ball before sending it to the boundary.
Education: Academic Journey
Mandhana’s education reflects her well-rounded personality. She completed her schooling at Shardashram Vidyamandir International School in Mumbai, where she balanced her academic commitments with her growing passion for cricket.
After finishing school, Mandhana pursued a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree from Chintamanrao College of Commerce in Sangli, Maharashtra. This educational background in commerce might seem unrelated to cricket, but it actually helps her understand the business side of modern cricket better.
The fact that she chose to study commerce while pursuing cricket professionally shows her practical thinking. After all, understanding finances becomes pretty important when you’re earning INR 3.4 crores annually!
International Debuts: The Rise of a Star
Smriti Mandhana’s international debuts mark some of the most significant moments in Indian women’s cricket. Let’s break down her journey to the top:
T20I Debut (2013)
- Date: 5 April 2013
- Opposition: Bangladesh
- Cap Number: 40
ODI Debut (2013)
- Date: 10 April 2013
- Opposition: Bangladesh
- Cap Number: 106
Test Debut (2014)
- Date: 13 August 2014
- Opposition: England
- Cap Number: 76
Making her T20I debut at just 16 years old shows the kind of talent that was evident from the beginning.
The fact that both her T20I and ODI debuts came against Bangladesh within days of each other in 2013 makes for an interesting story. It’s almost like the cricket gods were saying, “Here’s your new star—get used to seeing her!”
Similar: Yashasvi Jaiswal Biography
Jersey Number and Team Allegiances
Mandhana wears jersey number 18 in international and franchise cricket. She shares this number with the Indian legend Virat Kohli, who wears the same number in men’s cricket.
Domestic Teams (2010-Present)
- Maharashtra (2010-present)
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2023-present) – WPL Captain
International Teams
- Brisbane Heat (2016/17)
- Western Storm (2018-2019)
- Hobart Hurricanes (2018/19)
- Trailblazers (2019-2022)
- Southern Brave (2021-2024)
- Sydney Thunder (2021/22)
- Adelaide Strikers (2024/25)
Ultimate Career Stats
*Below listed stats were last updated on the publishing date of this article.
Test Cricket
| Category | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Matches | 7 |
| Innings | 12 |
| Runs | 629 |
| Highest Score | 149 |
| Average | 57.18 |
| Strike Rate | 63.73 |
| Centuries | 2 |
| Fifties | 3 |
ODI Cricket
| Category | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Matches | 102 |
| Innings | 102 |
| Runs | 4,473 |
| Highest Score | 136 |
| Average | 46.59 |
| Strike Rate | 87.80 |
| Centuries | 11 |
| Fifties | 31 |
T20I Cricket
| Category | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Matches | 152 |
| Innings | 146 |
| Runs | 3,974 |
| Highest Score | 112 |
| Average | 30.11 |
| Strike Rate | 123.96 |
| Centuries | 1 |
| Fifties | 31 |
WPL Salary and BCCI Contract
Smriti Mandhana’s WPL salary made headlines when she became the highest-bid player in the inaugural auction. Here’s the breakdown:
WPL Contract
- Amount: INR 3.4 crores per year (2023, 2024, 2025)
- Team: Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Role: Captain
The WPL auction was a game-changer for women’s cricket in India, and Mandhana leading the charge with the highest bid was symbolic of her status in the sport.
Under her captaincy, RCB won their maiden WPL title in 2024, finishing as the second-highest run scorer. Talk about leading from the front!
BCCI Contract
- Grade: A
- Annual Salary: INR 50 lakhs per year
Net Worth: The Financial Stroke
Smriti Mandhana’s net worth stands at an impressive INR 33 crores, making her one of the wealthiest female cricketers in India. This wealth comes from various sources:
Income Sources
- WPL Salary: INR 3.4 crores annually
- BCCI Contract: INR 50 lakhs annually
- Brand Endorsements: Partnerships with Adidas, Myntra, Coca-Cola, and Paytm
- Business Ventures: Strategic investments and entrepreneurial activities
- Overseas Leagues: Various international T20 leagues
- Match Fees: International and domestic cricket
Business Ventures and Investments
Mandhana has shown remarkable business acumen by diversifying her income streams beyond cricket:
Neem Ayu Investment: Mandhana made a strategic investment in this Gurugram-based Ayurvedic company. What attracted her to this venture was their digital-first strategy and her personal belief in Ayurveda. This investment shows her forward-thinking approach to wellness and technology.
SM 18 Sports Cafe: Located in her hometown of Sangli, this cafe is more than just a business—it’s a passion project. The cafe reflects her interest in the restaurant business and her connection to her roots. It’s the kind of venture that combines her love for hospitality with her entrepreneurial spirit.
Brand Endorsements: Her endorsement portfolio reads like a who’s who of major brands:
- Adidas: Sporting goods and apparel
- Myntra: Fashion and lifestyle
- Coca-Cola: Beverages
- Paytm: Digital payments and financial services
These partnerships not only add to her income but also strengthen her brand value in the market.
The Record Breaker
Mandhana holds several records that showcase her exceptional talent:
- Fastest to 1,000 ODI runs among Indian women
- Fastest to 2,000 ODI runs among Indian women
- First Indian woman to score a century in T20Is
- Most boundaries hit by an Indian woman in international cricket
Each of these records wasn’t just achieved—they were conquered with style and panache that’s uniquely Mandhana’s.