June 28, 2025 | Sports Desk : Smriti Mandhana’s long-awaited maiden T20I hundred wasn’t just a milestone — it was a message. A message to her critics, her team, and most importantly, to Radha Yadav, the teammate whose playful challenge days earlier ignited the fire in India’s stand-in skipper. With a brilliant 112 off just 62 balls against England at Trent Bridge, Mandhana finally answered the one missing piece in her decorated T20I résumé — and she did so in emphatic style.
🏏 The Century That Took 143 Matches
Mandhana’s century was India Women’s highest individual score in T20Is, surpassing Harmanpreet Kaur’s 103 in the 2018 World Cup. With this knock, she became the first Indian woman to score centuries in all three formats, joining an elite group that includes Heather Knight and Beth Mooney.
But perhaps what made this moment even more powerful was the motivation behind it. Just three days earlier, Radha Yadav had teased her about constantly falling short of three figures.
“Radha told me, ‘It’s high time you get a century in T20Is. You always get out in the 70s and 80s. You’re not doing justice to your talent,’” Mandhana recalled post-match.
Mandhana took that challenge to heart — and her celebration, pointing toward the dressing room after reaching the milestone off 51 balls, said it all: “See Radha, I did it.”
👩✈️ Stepping In as Captain, Rising as a Leader
Mandhana was also leading India in the absence of regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who missed the game after suffering a head injury during a warm-up match. Despite the sudden leadership responsibility, Mandhana didn’t let the pressure shake her focus.
“As a batter, being captain doesn’t change much. You still have to get the job done for the team,” she said.
And she did exactly that — taking India to a commanding total of 210/5, their second-highest ever in T20Is, and overseeing a massive 97-run win against England.
🌟 Debut Delight: Shree Charani’s Breakthrough Performance
The other standout performer was debutant spinner Shree Charani, who stunned England with 4 for 12, dismantling their middle and lower order.
Mandhana showed smart captaincy by:
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Using spinners early to exploit Danni Wyatt’s weakness
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Trusting Charani in pressure situations
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Executing a clear strategy against Nat Sciver-Brunt, England’s lone resistance with 66 off 42
Charani’s performance vindicated Mandhana’s decision: “We saw her potential in the WPL… today she bowled like a seasoned pro.”
🤝 Shafali’s Return: A Big Knock Is Coming
Mandhana also shared words of encouragement for her opening partner Shafali Verma, who scored a cautious 20 off 22 in their 77-run opening stand.
“She’s timing the ball beautifully in the nets. I don’t think a big knock is far away.”
💬 Final Takeaway
Mandhana’s century wasn’t just about numbers — it was about resilience, leadership, and friendship. Radha Yadav’s nudge, delivered half-jokingly, became the spark Mandhana needed. And in response, the stand-in skipper delivered a masterclass that may very well go down as one of India’s most memorable T20I innings.
This performance not only set the tone for India’s tour of England but also reaffirmed that when talent meets challenge, records are rewritten.