'Winning it will motivate me to better my game constantly' - Smriti Mandhana on being awarded ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year

India’s women team opener Smriti Mandhana was awarded the highly esteemed Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for becoming the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year. The 25-year-old has been prolific for India in the last year as she amassed 855 runs in 22 international matches at an average of 38.86 and managed to hit five fifties alongside one century. It was in the first-ever pink ball Test for India, Smriti managed to break the shackles and scored a 127 run knock to make sure India had the upper hand against Australian women.

Mandhana did not stop there and she was also nominated for the Women’s T20I Player of the Year award, which was won by England opener Tammy Beaumont in the end. The elegant left-hander won the award in 2018 after an excellent year with the bat and she has now joined the likes of Australia allrounder Ellyse Perry, to win the highest individual distinction in the women’s overall category of the annual ICC awards more than once.

Smriti Mandhana looking forward to doing well in the Women’s World Cup

Smriti thanked her teammates and her family for supporting her throughout her journey and felt very privileged to receive the award. After making her international debut as early as in 17 years of age, Smriti has grown into one of the most destructive women’s openers going around and her numbers speak for herself too.

“I am truly honoured for receiving the prestigious Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2021. I am grateful to my team-mates, my coaches, my family, friends, and fans who believed in my potential and supported me in this journey,” Mandhana told ICC

Mandhana also noted that she will take the award as a step in building her motivation and making sure that she keeps contributing at the top of the order. The Mumbai born girl will now have her work cut out in terms of preparation for the Women’s World Cup 2022 scheduled to start in the month of March in New Zealand.

“A recognition of such high class from the global governing body of cricket in an exceptional and difficult year will motivate me to continue to better my game and contribute to Team India’s success going forward. I look forward to 2022 with a clear focus on winning the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 in New Zealand as we continue to prepare as a team and unit,” she added