Smriti Mandhana is celebrating her birthday today as she turns 28. She has become one of the most celebrated figures in women's cricket and her journey from a young cricketer in Mumbai to a global star is a testament to her dedication, talent and love for the sport.

Known for her elegant batting style and consistent performances, her effortless batting and clutch batting displays have earned her numerous accolades. Her influence extends beyond the cricket field, inspiring a new generation of girls to follow their dreams.

As Smriti continues to break records and lead her team to wins, her legacy in women's cricket has grown stronger. Today, she stands as one of the best batswomen in the world, inspiring millions and drawing huge audiences to women's cricket. Let's now delve deep into her cricketing journey and how she defied the odds and achieved stardom.

Born on July 18, 1996, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, Smriti Mandhana's passion for the bat ball game was evident from a young age, influenced by her brother Shravan, who also played the sport. Her sheer talent was quickly recognized, and she started training rigorously, honing her skills with emphasis on becoming a professional cricketer and the rest is history.

The Mumbai-born woman cricketer's breakthrough came in 2013 when she was selected for the Indian women's cricket team. At just 17 years, she made her debut in international cricket, unleashing her potential against the top teams in the world and there was no turning back since then.

In 2016, she announced her arrival in the international scene by essaying her maiden century in an ODI against Australia. She grew from strength to strength in her batting and her consistency and ability to perform under pressure earned her accolades and cemented her place in the Indian women's team.

Her performance in the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup was quite a significant milestone where she played a quintessential role in the team's journey to the final, showcasing her mettle as a top-order batswoman. What really made her a fan favourite was her charm and elegance on the field and her ability to play both aggressive and anchor roles.

It is also worth mentioning here that her impact on the Women's Premier League has been nothing short of a marvel. In the inaugural WPL auction, she was the most sought-after cricketer, eventually being roped in by RCB Women's franchise for a staggering INR 3.40 crore.

This made her not only the most expensive buy in the history of the Women's Premier League but also in all women's T20 cricket leagues globally. The star-studded Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad attracted the most viewers to their television and OTT screens in the last two editions of the WPL, courtesy of Smriti Mandhana.

The star cricketer's performances and leadership have been pivotal in drawing attention to the league. In 2024, her leadership played a substantial role in guiding the Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women's team to a historic title in the Women's Premier League.