Smriti Mandhana received Stardust Young Achievers Award

After a spell bounding performance by team India in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, the players have been receiving awards and much applause from all around the world. On this note, recently, one of the two openers of the Indian Cricket team- Smriti Mandhana, won the Stardust Achievers Award in Dubai, for her magnificent efforts and contribution towards her team and the country.



 



Mandhana’s knock in the first two matches of the Women’s World Cup earlier in July this year against England (90) and West Indies (106 not out) respectively, has brought her much applause and fame that had been missing before. Although her performance had not been consistent throughout the tournament but that didn’t stop people from recognizing her for the prodigious batting talent that she is.



 



It was due to the Women’s World Cup earlier this year that people learned about Mandhana, but she was already a star outside India as one of the big hitters in the second edition of the renowned Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in January 2017, where she played for her team Brisbane Heat along with other star cricketers like West Indie’s Deandra Dottin, Southern Star’s opener Beth Mooney and all-rounder spinner Jess Jonassen. Unfortunately, the WBBL was also the reason behind her knee injury, that kept her from playing until the World Cup in July.



 



According to her team-mates, her recovery from such an injury in just six months was commendable, as it could have only been achieved by someone who’s highly disciplined and determined. Mandhana made her test debut in 2014 against England and ODI debut in 2013 against Bangladesh. Her T20 debut was also in the year 2013 against Bangladesh. She smashed her debut ODI century against the Southern Stars in their own home ground.