Smriti Mandhana's poor start to World Cup: Analyzing dangerous mega event signs

Smriti Mandhana in World Cup opener (Source:@WCI_Official/X.com)

Smriti Mandhana is one of the leading batters in world cricket currently and has been in stellar form in 2025. She recently scored back-to-back centuries against Australia, and expectations are high from her as they eye the maiden World Cup title.

Smriti Mandhana's Worrisome record in World Cups

The Indian vice-captain, though, has started off the World Cup on a poor note as she managed just eight runs. Though it is just a one-game and Mandhana might get back to her belligerent best against Pakistan, India need to be wary of the opener's record in the ODI mega event. She has been pretty mediocre in the World Cups compared to her overall dominance in the format.

So far, Smriti Mandhana has played two ODI World Cups - 2017 and 2022. She started off her World Cup career with a bang, scoring 90 against England and a century in the next match against the West Indies. However, she had a string of low scores in World Cup cricket after that. In the 2022 World Cup, she had one century and two fifties, but overall, she has not dominated the way she has done in bilateral cricket.

Thus, if we look at the numbers, her average drops 12 percentage points in World Cups compared to her overall ODI record. The strike-rate also goes down a bit and it is something that Smriti Mandhana needs to rectify in this Women's World Cup.

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Smriti Mandhana: A talent that India need to break the World Cup jinx

Mandhana has all things going her way this time around - form, home conditions, more experience, and it is all about the big player now stepping up on the big stage for her team. India have a strong team with depth in the batting line-up and despite her failure, India won the game against Sri Lanka comprehensively.

However, against a team like Australia and England, India would need a good start from Smriti Mandhana. Australia, especially, are a team that regularly posts over 300 runs, and Smriti Mandhana is one player who has shown the ability to counter-attack them. She has an excellent average of 48.21 and strike-rate of over 100 and so, for India to overcome the Australian threat in this World Cup, they need her in the best of the form.

For that, Smriti Mandhana need to get back among runs against Pakistan; otherwise, two low scores early in the tournament might dent her confidence. She has one fifty to her name in the two ODIs against Pakistan, and it is important for India that Smriti Mandhana finds her touch against the arch-rivals.

Smriti Mandhana ODI record in 2025

India are the serious contender for the World Cup this time around, and in the last year or so, they have lost the series only against Australia. Smriti Mandhana, with an average of 62.40 and four hundreds, has played a big role in India's dominance, and to go the full distance this time around, the Women in Blue need their vice-captain to shed off previous World Cup disappointments and take her game to the next level in this home marquee event.

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