Indian vice-captain competed with South Africa’s Wolvaardt and Australia’s Gardner after scoring 434 runs in tournament-winning campaign
DUBAI, November 6, 2025 –Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has been nominated for the ICC Player of the Month award following her outstanding performance in the Women’s ODI World Cup, which concluded on November 2. The 29-year-old left-handed batter emerged as India’s highest run-scorer in the tournament with 434 runs, playing a pivotal role in the team’s historic maiden World Cup triumph.
Mandhana faces stiff competition from South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt and Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner for the October honor.
Tournament-Defining Performances
The Indian opener consistently delivered at crucial moments throughout the campaign. She anchored the top order with aggressive knocks of 80 against seven-time champions Australia and 88 against England, though India lost both encounters. Her most significant contribution came in the must-win match against New Zealand, where she struck a magnificent 109, sharing a match-winning 212-run partnership with Pratika Rawal.
In the final against South Africa, Mandhana’s 45-run contribution provided India with a solid foundation, establishing a century opening partnership with Shefali Verma that set the stage for the eventual 52-run victory.
Strong Competition
Wolvaardt recovered from England’s 10-wicket drubbing in the tournament opener to guide South Africa to their first World Cup final. Her semifinal masterclass of 169 against England stands as one of cricket’s finest World Cup innings. Despite scoring a century (101) in the final, her team fell short.
Gardner showcased exceptional all-round abilities, hammering centuries against New Zealand (115) and England (104*) while capturing seven wickets, demonstrating her value across all departments for the defending champions.
About The Author
