ICC Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy
In 2021, the winner of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year had a year to remember, with mesmerizing knocks, aggressive displays, and plenty of memorable moments.
Here, we take a look back at her performances from the year and honor some of her notable accomplishments.
With one century and five half-centuries, she scored 855 runs in 22 internationals at an average of 38.86.
Despite India’s terrible year in 2021, Smriti Mandhana’s stock has risen this year.
India won only two of the eight limited-overs matches against South Africa at home in the limited-overs series.
Mandhana was instrumental in both victories. She hit 80 not out as India chased down 158 in the second ODI to help them tie the series, and she hit 48 not out in the final T20I to help India win.
Mandhana scored 78 runs in the first innings of the one-off Test against England, which ended in a tie. In India’s lone victory in the ODI series, she hit a crucial 49. Her 15-ball 29 and 50 in the T20I series, however, were in vain as India lost both matches and the series 2-1.
Mandhana had an excellent series against Australia, commencing with the ODI series when she hit 86 runs in 2nd ODI.
She was named Player of the Match after scoring a stunning century in the lone Test (her first of her career). In the final T20I, she hit her second T20I fifty of the year, but India fell short and lost the series 2-0.
Exceptional Performance
Mandhana smashed her maiden century in the longest format, making India’s first-ever pink-ball Test even more memorable.
To begin, the left-hander played her natural game and scored a run-a-ball half-century while playing under the lights with prudence.
Mandhana was apprehended on 80, but was granted a reprieve after Ellyse Perry stepped out of line. She took advantage of the opportunity, scoring her first Test century with a boundary.
After putting India in a solid position, her innings came to an end at 127. Mandhana was named Player of the Match after the match finished in a tie.