Smriti Mandhana bags ICC Women's Cricketer of 2021 award

India opening batter Smriti Mandhana on Monday bagged the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women's Cricketer of 2021. Mandhana was instrumental in both of India's wins in the limited-overs series against South Africa. India had won just two of eight matches at home. Mandhana hit 80 not out as India chased down 158 in the second ODI to help them tie the series, and she hit 48 not out in the final T20I to help India win. Mandhana scored 78 runs in the first innings of the one-off Test against England, which ended in a draw. In India's lone victory in the ODI series, she hit a crucial 49. Her 15-ball 29 and 50 in the T20I series, however, were in vain as India lost both matches and the series. Also Read | Sonakshi Sinha's 'Dabangg' reply to fan asking 'when she'll get married' Mandhana was in excellent form throughout the series against Australia, beginning with an ODI series in which she hit 86 in the second match. She was named Player of the Match after scoring a stunning century in the lone Test (the first of her career). In the final T20I, she hit her second T20I fifty of the year, but India fell short and lost the series 2-0. Mandhana smashed her maiden century in the longest format, making India's first-ever pink-ball Test even more memorable. To begin with, the left-hander played her natural game and scored a run-a-ball half-century while playing under the lights with caution. Mandhana was caught on 80 but was granted a reprieve after Ellyse Perry overstepped. She took advantage of the opportunity, scoring her first Test century with a boundary. After putting India in a solid position, her innings came to an end at 127. Mandhana was named Player of the Match after the match ended in a draw. Also Read | Ahead of Republic Day, BSF intensifies patrolling along Jammu border -PTC News