From Mandhana to Deepti: Meet India's Biggest Stars at The Hundred 2026

India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has officially linked up with Manchester Super Giants ahead of the 2026 edition of The Hundred, with fresh images of the opener in her new colours generating excitement among fans on social media.

Mandhana, who previously represented Southern Brave, will feature for the newly rebranded Manchester franchise after being signed in January alongside former Australia captain Meg Lanning and England spinner Sophie Ecclestone.

Smriti Mandhana begins new chapter with Manchester Super Giants

The 30-year-old returns to The Hundred after missing the previous season and will be playing for a different franchise for the first time since the competition began in 2021.

Manchester Super Giants, formerly known as Manchester Originals, have undergone a rebrand ahead of the new campaign and will be led by Meg Lanning.

Photos of Mandhana wearing the franchise's new jersey quickly went viral, with many fans praising the new look while others pointed out its resemblance to the IPL kit worn by Lucknow Super Giants. Royal Challengers Bengaluru supporters, meanwhile, joked that they missed seeing their captain in her familiar red-and-black colours.

Smriti Mandhana returns with outstanding Hundred record

Few overseas players have enjoyed as much success in The Hundred as Mandhana.

Across four seasons with Southern Brave between 2021 and 2024, she scored 676 runs in 29 innings at a strike rate of 139, helping the franchise lift the title in 2023.

Her best campaign came in 2023, when she amassed 238 runs in nine innings, while she also scored 211 runs during Brave's run to the final in 2022.

The left-hander also arrives in England after another productive year, having captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their maiden Women's Premier League title before playing a key role in India's victorious 2025 Women's ODI World Cup campaign.

Richa Ghosh reunites with Smriti Mandhana

Mandhana will once again open alongside fellow India star Richa Ghosh, recreating the partnership that has flourished at Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Ghosh joins Manchester Super Giants after previous spells with London Spirit and Birmingham Phoenix but will be aiming for a stronger Hundred campaign after modest returns in her first two seasons.

The wicketkeeper-batter heads into the tournament on the back of a decent T20 World Cup, where she scored 80 runs in five innings.

Three other India stars set for Hundred action

Mandhana is one of four India internationals featuring in the women's competition this season.

Jemimah Rodrigues has switched from Sunrisers Leeds (formerly Northern Superchargers) to Southern Brave, reuniting with Delhi Capitals teammates Laura Wolvaardt and head coach Jonathan Batty. Rodrigues enjoyed a breakout Hundred season in 2021 but will be hoping to rediscover that form after a quiet T20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Deepti Sharma has joined Sunrisers Leeds after previously helping London Spirit win the title in 2024. The all-rounder enjoyed an outstanding last Hundred campaign, scoring 212 runs while also taking eight wickets, and is expected to play a central role alongside Australia's Jess Jonassen.

The Hundred begins this week

The seventh edition of The Hundred gets underway on Tuesday at The Oval, with Indian players once again eligible to participate only in the women's competition.

With Mandhana returning after a year's absence and beginning life at a new franchise, she will be one of the biggest attractions as Manchester Super Giants look to reach the knockout stage for the first time under their new identity.