Smriti Mandhana Inches Past Shubman Gill: Is She the New Face of Indian Cricket?

Just 62 runs away: Smriti Mandhana set to surpass Shubman Gill; this record in sight

She walks in with grace, stands tall at the crease, and dispatches the ball with a flick of the wrist that leaves bowlers—and critics—speechless. Smriti Mandhana isn’t just playing cricket; she’s redefining what’s possible for Indian batters across genders. And right now, she’s on the verge of a historic milestone: surpassing Shubman Gill in total international runs for the 2025 season. With just **62 runs away**, Mandhana is poised to etch her name not just in the record books, but in the very fabric of India’s sporting identity.

This isn’t a fluke. It’s the culmination of relentless consistency, adaptability across formats, and an uncanny ability to set the tone at the top of the order—traits that have made her the backbone of the India Women’s team across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

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The Record in Sight: Smriti Mandhana Runs Record

As of late December 2025, Smriti Mandhana has amassed **1,838 international runs** across all formats this calendar year. Shubman Gill, by comparison, stands at **1,900 runs**. The gap? Just **62 runs**—a figure Mandhana could clear in a single solid innings.

What makes this even more remarkable is context. While Gill has played 35 international innings across men’s cricket, Mandhana has done it in just 29 innings—facing fewer opportunities due to the limited international calendar for women’s teams. Yet, her strike rate, average, and impact per innings often exceed those of her male counterparts.

How Mandhana Outpaces Gill in Run Accumulation

Let’s break it down by format:

  • ODIs: Mandhana averages 58.20 in 2025 with three centuries. Gill averages 49.70 with two tons.
  • T20Is: Mandhana’s strike rate is 132, with a high score of 87*. Gill’s T20I strike rate is 128.
  • Tests: Mandhana anchored India’s only Test of the year with 92 and 65 against Australia—a series where batting conditions were brutal.

Crucially, Mandhana has delivered in overseas conditions—from England’s swinging ball to Australia’s bouncy pitches—proving her class isn’t confined to friendly home tracks.

Consistency Across Formats: A Rare Feat

In modern cricket, mastering one format is hard. Excelling in all three is elite. Mandhana belongs to that rare category.

She opened the Women’s T20 World Cup with a blistering 78 against South Africa. Weeks later, she calmly guided India to a series win in Sri Lanka with twin fifties in ODIs. And when the red ball came out in Melbourne, she batted for over six hours in the first innings, showing grit that would make any Test purist proud.

As ESPNcricinfo notes, “Mandhana’s ability to switch gears without losing her core strengths—timing, footwork, and composure—is what separates her from the pack.”

The Evolution of Mandhana’s Game

Early in her career, critics labeled Mandhana as “elegant but fragile”—prone to soft dismissals. But over the past two years, she’s worked relentlessly on her mental game and shot selection.

Now, she leaves more balls outside off stump, rotates strike intelligently in the middle overs, and accelerates only when set. Her partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues at the top has become India’s most reliable launchpad—often providing 80+ run stands that set up wins.

This maturity was evident in the recent tri-series final, where she scored an unbeaten 94 off 102 balls under scoreboard pressure—proving she’s not just a stroke-maker, but a match-winner.

Why This Milestone Matters Beyond the Numbers

On the surface, surpassing Shubman Gill in runs might seem like a neat stat. But symbolically, it’s seismic.

For decades, women’s cricket operated in the shadows of the men’s game—less coverage, fewer matches, minimal pay. Mandhana’s potential to lead the annual run charts—regardless of gender—signals a cultural shift. It tells young girls that their runs count just as much. That their excellence deserves equal spotlight.

It also challenges outdated narratives. As the International Cricket Council (ICC) pushes for greater parity, milestones like this become powerful advocacy tools—not just for recognition, but for investment, infrastructure, and opportunity in women’s cricket.

What Lies Ahead for Mandhana and Indian Cricket

With the Women’s Cricket World Cup and a full England tour on the horizon in 2026, Mandhana’s form will be critical. But beyond personal accolades, her leadership—on and off the field—will shape the next generation.

She’s already mentoring young openers like Shweta Sehrawat and advocating for better domestic structures. Her influence extends to [INTERNAL_LINK:women-cricket-infrastructure-india], where her voice carries weight with administrators.

Conclusion: More Than Just Runs

The Smriti Mandhana runs record isn’t just about crossing a number. It’s about crossing a threshold—into an era where women’s performances are measured not in comparison, but in their own right. As she steps out to bat in her next innings, just 62 runs from history, she carries with her the hopes of millions who see in her not just a batter, but a beacon.

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