As India gears up for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, a storm is brewing around one of its biggest stars: Smriti Mandhana. Once considered the undisputed queen of India’s top order, Mandhana is now under intense scrutiny over her declining strike rate — sparking fears she could lose her place as opener for the world’s biggest T20 event.
According to team insiders, the Indian think tank is deeply concerned about Mandhana’s inability to accelerate in the powerplay, especially against top-tier bowling attacks. Over the past year, Mandhana’s strike rate in T20Is has hovered between 105-110 — a far cry from the explosive starts India needs to compete with the likes of Australia and England.
A senior BCCI official told a leading sports outlet on condition of anonymity, “There is no doubting Smriti’s class or experience, but T20s are evolving. We need our openers to score at 130+ consistently. The coaching staff is worried we’re falling behind modern T20 standards if we can’t set the tone early.”
Social media has erupted with heated debates, with hashtags like #MandhanaStrikeRate and #T20WC2026 trending as fans passionately argue whether India should persist with their star left-hander or take a bold call by promoting an in-form youngster. Some fans have blamed Mandhana’s cautious approach on a lack of support from the middle order, arguing that she feels compelled to anchor the innings instead of playing freely.
Meanwhile, former players have weighed in on the controversy. Former India captain Anjum Chopra defended Mandhana, saying, “Yes, Smriti’s strike rate has dipped, but she is a world-class player who can turn it on in big games. Dropping her before a World Cup would be a huge mistake.” On the other hand, ex-India coach WV Raman stressed the need for ruthlessness in T20 selection, adding, “Current form and adaptability to modern T20 demands must take priority, even if it means tough decisions.”
With the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 less than a year away, sources say India’s selectors will monitor Mandhana’s performances in the upcoming domestic T20 leagues and bilateral series before making a final call.
Will Smriti Mandhana silence her critics and reclaim her place as India’s go-to opener — or is India ready to move on from one of its biggest stars? The countdown to the T20 World Cup just got a lot more dramatic.