ENG Vs IND: Smriti Mandhana Reveals The Story Behind Her Special Celebration After Maiden T20I Century

Indian women’s cricket witnessed a landmark moment at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, as stand-in skipper Smriti Mandhana etched her name into the history books with a scintillating maiden T20I century—a stunning 112 off just 62 deliveries—that not only powered India to a resounding 97-run victory over England in the T20I series opener, but also underlined the transformation of one of the game’s most elegant batters into a fearless striker of the modern game.

But this was more than just a personal milestone. As Mandhana reached her century and pointed emphatically toward the dressing room, the celebration carried a deeper narrative—a playful challenge, a silent promise, and a moment of redemption. The target of her finger? None other than teammate Radha Yadav, who had jokingly but pointedly called Mandhana out for repeatedly falling short of the three-figure mark in T20Is.

The Finger Point: Inside the Dressing Room Banter That Sparked Greatness

In her post-match press conference, Mandhana revealed the light-hearted provocation that set the tone for her record-breaking knock.

“Just three days back, Radha [Yadav] told me, ‘It’s high time you get a century in T20Is—you keep getting out in the 70s and 80s and it’s just not doing justice to your talent,’” Mandhana recounted with a smile.

True to her temperament, the challenge wasn’t met with confrontation but quiet determination. Mandhana promised Radha she would try to reach the mark in the series, perhaps even chuckling at the pressure. What no one expected was that she would answer the call in the very first game.

“I didn’t think it would come this soon, but when I got to 100, that finger was for her. Like, ‘See? I got it today,’” she added, her voice brimming with a mixture of joy and personal satisfaction.

It was a rare peek behind the curtain of elite cricket—a moment that showed how internal team camaraderie, banter, and gentle teasing can motivate players to reach their peak.

The Innings: A Blend of Grace, Grit, and Gears

Coming in as India’s stand-in captain in the absence of Harmanpreet Kaur, Mandhana walked out at the top of the order with purpose. Facing a strong England bowling lineup on their home turf is never easy, but from the outset, the left-hander looked determined to set the tone.

She started with her trademark cover drives, finding gaps with surgical precision.
By the 10-over mark, Mandhana had reached 55 off 34 balls.
She accelerated post-fifty, adding her next 57 runs off just 28 balls.

Her final tally—112 from 62 balls—included 15 boundaries and 4 sixes, a testament to how far she has evolved as a batter in T20Is.

It wasn’t just a knock of elegance—it was a display of adaptability, range, and controlled aggression. As much as her straight drives and flicks oozed class, it was the wristy ramps, slog sweeps, and one-handed lofts that caught the eye—shots not traditionally associated with Mandhana’s classical game.

“Not a Natural Format for Me” – Mandhana’s Honest Reflection

Despite being one of the world’s leading batters for years, Mandhana has often admitted that T20 cricket doesn’t come as naturally to her as the longer formats.

“It’s a nice feeling because this format is something which, for me as a batter, I need to keep pushing and keep improving. It’s not a very natural format for me,” she said candidly.

Her T20I career has long been filled with near-misses. Numerous scores in the 70s and 80s, many of them fluent and match-defining, but none crossing the century mark. In fact, this ton came in her 149th T20I appearance, making her the first Indian woman to score centuries in all three formats of international cricket.

Smriti Mandhana’s International Centuries (As of June 2025):

Format	Century	Highest Score
Tests	1	127 vs Australia (2021)
ODIs	6	135 vs South Africa (2023)
T20Is	1	112 vs England (2025)

This latest century places her in elite company, joining legends like Harmanpreet Kaur, Ellyse Perry, and Heather Knight, who have achieved centuries in all three formats.

A Complete Team Performance, Powered by a Captain’s Knock

Mandhana’s heroics set the foundation for India’s highest-ever T20I score against England—a daunting 198/3. Supported by Jemimah Rodrigues’ quickfire 36 and a blistering cameo from Richa Ghosh, India posted a total that would prove more than enough.

In reply, England were bundled out for just 101 runs, with the Indian bowlers sharing the spoils. Renuka Singh Thakur and Deepti Sharma took two wickets apiece, while Radha Yadav—who unknowingly lit the fire under her captain—delivered a miserly spell that stifled England’s chase.

Radha Yadav Reacts: “I Knew She’d Take It Personally”

Post-match, Radha Yadav was all smiles as she recounted the dressing room banter.

“I was just pulling her leg, but I knew somewhere she’d take it personally. That’s the kind of competitor Smriti is. She may laugh at your joke, but she’ll come back and make you eat your words—in the best way possible!”

The camaraderie between the two players has long been visible on and off the field. Their mutual respect and openness to challenge one another speaks volumes about India’s team culture, which has grown tighter under the leadership of senior players like Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur.

T20I Evolution: Mandhana’s Changing Role in India’s Setup

For years, Smriti Mandhana was seen as a classical anchor—a batter who’d give you 40–50 runs at a run-a-ball, hold one end, and allow others to bat around her. But with the evolution of the women’s game—and India’s ambitions to win major ICC tournaments—Mandhana knew she had to evolve.

And evolve she has.

Strike rotation has improved significantly.
Boundary-hitting frequency has gone up.
She’s begun using the depth of the crease and improvisation far more than in previous years.
Her strike rate in 2025 (so far) is hovering around 141.65, up from 117.00 just two years ago.

This innings wasn’t a flash in the pan—it was the result of consistent intent to evolve, with focus on strength training, hitting range, and game simulation scenarios during training camps.

What This Century Means for Indian Women’s Cricket

Mandhana’s hundred is not just a personal milestone—it’s a statement for India’s T20I ambitions.

With the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 around the corner, India’s success will depend on its top order firing consistently, and Mandhana leading from the front will be key.

This knock reaffirms that India’s batting blueprint isn’t limited to aggression from the middle order—it now starts from ball one. That mindset shift is crucial for competing with the likes of Australia, England, and South Africa in high-pressure knockout matches.

Fan Reactions and Twitter Buzz: “Captain. Centurion. Icon.”

Social media exploded as Mandhana reached her century:

#SmritiMandhana was trending No. 1 in India and the UK.
Cricketers past and present flooded timelines with tributes.
Fans posted reaction videos of the now-iconic “finger-point” celebration.

“She’s poetry in motion. But today, she was a fireball. Take a bow, Smriti Mandhana,” tweeted former India captain Mithali Raj.

“She’s cracked the T20 code,” added Harsha Bhogle. “And if this becomes a pattern, watch out, world.”

Looking Ahead: India Take 1–0 Lead, But Mandhana Sets Larger Tone

India now lead the three-match series 1–0, and the momentum lies heavily in their favour. England, meanwhile, will be desperate to bounce back and prevent the series from slipping away.

But the larger takeaway is this: Smriti Mandhana has arrived in T20Is—not just as a stylist, but as a match-winner, leader, and format-shaper.

In a sport obsessed with stats and milestones, it’s the story behind the moment that defines a great player. For Mandhana, that story was written not just with bat and ball, but with a finger pointed at a friend in the dressing room, a smile of triumph, and the silent message: “Challenge accepted. Challenge conquered.”

Match Summary: 1st T20I – India Women vs England Women