Smriti Mandhana Begins Captaincy Era Ahead of T20I Series Against Zimbabwe

Smriti Mandhana embarks on her journey as the captain of the Indian women's cricket team, preparing for the T20I series against Zimbabwe starting October 16. Following Harmanpreet Kaur's resignation, Mandhana aims to lead the team to success. With a remarkable track record, including being the leading T20I run-scorer, she has made significant contributions to the sport. Her recent achievements at the Asian Games further highlight her prowess. Discover more about her journey and what lies ahead for the team in this exciting new chapter.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 13, 2026, 11:30 IST

Mandhana Takes Charge as Captain

Smriti Mandhana kicked off her first training session as the all-format captain of the Indian women's cricket team in preparation for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe, which is set to commence on October 16 in Raipur. This marks the beginning of the 'Smriti Era' following Harmanpreet Kaur's resignation from the captaincy.

As a two-time champion of the Women's Premier League (WPL) with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Smriti has had a remarkable year filled with achievements. The Indian Cricket Team's official Instagram account shared a video showcasing her batting practice and the overall training session as captain.

Mandhana's Record-Breaking Journey

During the Asian Games 2026, Smriti played a pivotal role in helping Team India secure their gold medal, which was Harmanpreet's final assignment as captain before her resignation shortly after the victory. India triumphed over Sri Lanka in the final by 147 runs, with Mandhana leading the scoring for her team with an impressive 79 runs off 45 balls. Throughout the tournament, she accumulated a total of 116 runs across two innings.

Recent tournaments have solidified Mandhana's legacy, as she currently holds the title of the leading T20I run-scorer in women's cricket, along with the record for the most international runs and centuries.

In her 179 T20I matches, she has amassed 4,867 runs, maintaining an average of 31.00 and a strike rate exceeding 127, including two centuries and 37 fifties. This year, she has excelled in T20Is, scoring 765 runs in 22 matches and 21 innings, with an average of 38.25 and a strike rate of 148.25, featuring one century and five fifties, with a top score of 124.

Overall, in her international cricket career, she has accumulated 11,066 runs across 308 matches, achieving 18 centuries, which ties her with South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt for the most centuries by a batter.