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As the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 is around the corner, Indian batting sensation Smriti Mandhana took a trip down memory lane. She revisited a special memory from her first-ever World Cup experience in England, an event that not only launched her onto the global stage but also fundamentally changed the landscape of women’s cricket in India.
Smriti Mandhana shares memories of her first World Cup and special century
In a recent video posted by the ICC on Instagram, Smriti was asked about her first World Cup in England and the century she scored against West Indies at Taunton. She reflected on the special memories of that tournament. She recalled World Cup 2017 was not only boosted her confidence but also marked a turning point for women’s cricket in India. Smriti further said that how the team’s run to the final captured the imagination of fans back home and inspired a new generation to take interest in the women’s game. For her personally, that century at Taunton remains one of the most defining knocks of her career, symbolizing resilience and belief after a tough injury layoff.
“I mean, the memories of the tournament, you can still go back to it in like five minutes. It’s that sort of a memory, it’s that fresh because that’s a World Cup which changed a lot of things for women’s cricket in India. Yeah, my first century, I mean, in that World Cup at Taunton was a little more than just a century because I just came off an ACL injury. I didn’t know would I fit in? What will happen? Would I be able to be doing the way I was doing before the injury? But to come out and get a century, I mean, that was really nice and one of the best memories we all have created in that World Cup,” Smriti said in the video.
Here’s the video:
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Team India’s brilliant yet heartbreaking run in the Women’s World Cup 2017
India’s women’s cricket team had a remarkable run in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 , but their dream of a maiden title ended in a heartbreaking nine-run defeat to England in the final at Lord’s. The team showcased incredible resilience and talent throughout the tournament, capturing the nation’s imagination. A standout performer was opener Smriti , who got off to a blistering start. In 9 matches, she scored 232 runs at an impressive strike rate of 94.31. Her tournament highlight was a century but a subsequent dip in form contributed to India’s challenges in the latter stages. Despite the final loss, their campaign marked a significant turning point for women’s cricket in India.
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