Smriti Mandhana's stunning maiden T20I century propelled the Indian women's cricket team to a formidable 210/5 against England in the first T20I at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. Stepping in as captain with Harmanpreet Kaur rested due to a precautionary head injury, Mandhana led from the front, reaching her century in just 51 balls. Her career-defining knock included 14 fours and 3 sixes, demonstrating her exceptional batting skills.

India, put in to bat, fully utilized the flat track at Trent Bridge. Shafali Verma provided a quick start, but it was Mandhana's magnificent innings that truly stole the show. Harleen Deol, promoted to No. 3, offered solid support, contributing to a 94-run partnership that kept England under pressure. Mandhana's innings was a blend of elegance and aggression, leaving the English bowlers struggling to contain her.

Mandhana's journey to her maiden T20I century was marked by fluent timing and aggressive intent. She anchored the innings, punishing the English bowlers with a combination of classic strokeplay and innovative shots. She reached her half-century in just 27 balls, showcasing class, control, and clean hitting.

Mandhana's innings came to an end after scoring 112 runs off 62 balls, including 15 fours and 3 sixes, with a strike rate of 180.64. Her dismissal was followed by a standing ovation, acknowledging her spectacular knock and true captain's innings. This achievement marks her as only the second Indian woman to score a century in T20Is. Moreover, with this century, Mandhana becomes the first Indian woman to score centuries in all formats of women's cricket.

This match also saw the return of Shafali Verma and Sneh Rana to the T20I setup, alongside the debut of several new players. However, it was Mandhana's performance that grabbed the spotlight, highlighting her return to top form and solidifying her reputation as a match-winner in the shortest format.