India’s star opening batter Smriti Mandhana has been signed by Manchester Super Giants for the upcoming edition of The Hundred Women’s, the franchise announced on Thursday. The move marks a new chapter for the stylish left-hander, who has been a regular presence in the competition since its inception.
Mandhana has previously featured in four editions of the tournament between 2021 and 2024, representing Southern Brave. During her time with the Brave, she scored 676 runs in 29 innings, establishing herself as one of the most consistent overseas batters in the league. Known for her elegant stroke play and ability to score quickly at the top of the order, Mandhana brings both experience and star power to the Super Giants lineup.
The Indian opener is one of only six players from India to have featured in The Hundred Women’s competition so far. The select list also includes India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, all-rounder Deepti Sharma, explosive opener Shafali Verma, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, and middle-order batter Jemimah Rodrigues. Their participation highlights the growing impact of Indian players in overseas franchise leagues.
Manchester Super Giants further strengthened their squad by announcing the signing of former Australia captain Meg Lanning. Lanning is no stranger to The Hundred, having previously represented London Spirit and Oval Invincibles. Across 18 matches in the competition, she has scored 457 runs at a strike rate of 132.08, underlining her effectiveness in the fast-paced format.
The addition of Mandhana and Lanning signals clear intent from Manchester Super Giants as they look to assemble a strong and balanced squad for the upcoming season. With proven international performers at the top of the order, the franchise will be hoping to make a significant impact in the tournament.
Mandhana’s move also reinforces her status as one of the most sought-after players in women’s franchise cricket, while offering fans the prospect of watching two of the modern game’s most accomplished batters in the same lineup.
