Smriti Mandhana showcased her brilliance in the 2024 edition of The Hundred Women's competition with a stunning direct hit that left fans in awe. During the match between Southern Brave and Trent Rockets at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, Mandhana made a crucial impact on the field. Bryony Smith, who opened the batting for the Rockets alongside Grace Scrivens, was the victim of Mandhana's sharp fielding.
Smith attempted a quick single after tapping the ball on the on-side, but Mandhana was quick to react, picking up the ball and unleashing a perfect throw that hit the stumps at the non-striker's end. The direct hit caught Smith short of her ground, leading to her dismissal and sparking celebrations among the Brave players.
Mandhana's all-round performance continued as she contributed with the bat as well. She scored 42 runs off 27 balls, including seven boundaries, and formed a crucial 59-run partnership with Georgia Adams for the third wicket. Despite her efforts, Southern Brave fell short in their chase of 156 runs, managing only 131/6, and losing the match by 24 runs. Chloe Tryon's unbeaten 47 off 31 balls provided some resistance, but it wasn't enough to secure a victory.
While Mandhana's fielding was exceptional, her overall performance with the bat in the tournament has been inconsistent. In four matches, she has scored 59 runs at an average of 14.75 and a strike rate of 155.26. Despite the struggles in The Hundred, Mandhana remains in excellent form for the Indian team and is expected to play a pivotal role in the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this year.