India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana celebrated her 300th international appearance at Lord’s Cricket Ground, expressing immense pride. At 29 years and 357 days, she becomes the youngest woman in cricket history to achieve this milestone, surpassing Sune Luus and Ellyse Perry. Mandhana, the 12th woman to reach 300 matches, reflected on her journey, highlighting the significance of playing at Lord’s.
“I got to know about the 300th international match last night,” Mandhana shared in a pre-game chat. Recalling the 2017 World Cup final at Lord’s, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to mark this occasion at such a prestigious venue. Despite past challenges, Mandhana emphasized the importance of resilience and moving forward in the sport.
Transitioning to red-ball cricket, Mandhana emphasized the value of batting for extended periods, especially in the limited Test opportunities for women. Reflecting on her preparation, she stressed the need to adjust from the fast-paced T20 format to the more patient approach required in Test cricket. Mandhana focused on fundamental skills and spending quality time at the crease to adapt effectively.
