India’s opening batter Smriti Mandhana named ICC Women’s Cricketer of 2021

India’s opening batter Smriti Mandhana has been named the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year for 2021. The International Cricket Council (ICC) made the announcement yesterday. Smriti has won the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy awarded to the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the year for the second time after 2018.

The left-handed opener beat competition from Tammy Beaumont of England, Lizelle Lee of South Africa and Gaby Lewis of Ireland to clinch the honour. Smriti has also become the second women’s cricketer after Australia’s Ellyse Perry to win the honour more than once. Mandhana was also named in the ICC Women’s T20 International Team of the Year.