Mandhana returns to form, becoming the third Indian to score 500 runs in the Women's T20 World Cup

In a thrilling encounter during the Women's T20 World Cup 2024, Smriti Mandhana made a spectacular return to form with a dazzling fifty against Sri Lanka in their Group A match on October 9 at the Dubai International Stadium. Mandhana's innings of 50 runs came off just 36 balls, showcasing her exceptional batting prowess at a critical juncture for India. This remarkable performance not only marked her 27th T20I fifty but also solidified her status as one of the leading players in the tournament's history. With this innings, she became the third Indian woman to surpass 500 runs in the Women's T20 World Cup, joining the legendary Mithali Raj, who has an impressive tally of 726 runs, and current Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who boasts 620 runs. 

India won the toss and chose to bat first, a decision that proved strategic as Shafali Verma and Mandhana provided a solid opening partnership that set the tone for the innings. Shafali adopted an aggressive approach, smashing boundaries and keeping the scoreboard ticking, while Mandhana started cautiously but steadily built her innings. This combination helped India secure their best powerplay performance of the tournament, creating a foundation for a potentially high total. Mandhana broke free in the seventh over, hitting the first six for India in this T20 World Cup, much to the delight of the crowd. 

Their partnership became particularly significant as Shafali and Mandhana completed their 20th fifty-plus runs partnership in WT20Is, marking a record for the highest partnership for any wicket in the format. This achievement tied them with the formidable Australian duo of Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney, who have also shared fifty-plus run stands 20 times in women's T20 internationals. Mandhana showcased her ability to dominate the Sri Lankan bowlers, reaching her fifty with a stylish boundary off Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu in the 13th over, further underlining her intent to make a significant impact in the match.

However, just as she seemed to be building momentum and setting a solid platform for the innings, Mandhana's innings came to an unfortunate end due to a mix-up with Shafali. After hitting a boundary, she hesitated on a single, reacting too late to a fumbled throw from the fielder. As a result, she found herself short of her crease and was run out, ending the impressive 98-run opening stand and leaving the team in a crucial position. The dismissal proved pivotal, as Shafali followed her out on the very next delivery after scoring 43 runs, leaving India facing a challenge to maintain their momentum in the innings.

Despite this setback, Mandhana's performance against Sri Lanka marked a significant comeback for her in the tournament, highlighting her importance to the Indian side. Her aggressive yet composed approach at the crease is exactly what the team needed, particularly in such a high-stakes match. As the tournament progresses, her return to form will be crucial for India's ambitions, bringing experience and flair to the batting lineup as they aim for success in the World Cup. The team’s collective performance, including Mandhana's contributions, will be pivotal as they navigate through the group stages and strive for a place in the knockout rounds, where every run and every wicket will count significantly. With the support of her teammates and the backing of the Indian fans, Mandhana looks set to continue making an impact as the tournament unfolds, reinforcing her position as one of the key players to watch.