Sun Jun 29 08:30:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article rewrite:
**Summary:**
The text highlights the significance of the number 18 jersey in Indian cricket, previously associated with Virat Kohli’s achievements. While Kohli’s era in T20 and Test formats is considered to have passed, Smriti Mandhana, also sporting jersey number 18, is making her mark. Mandhana recently scored a T20 century against England, fulfilling a challenge from teammate Radha Yadav, and becoming the first Indian woman cricketer to score centuries in all three formats. Mandhana credits Yadav’s encouragement for pushing her to achieve the milestone and expressed satisfaction in remaining at the crease to guide the team to victory.
**News Article:**
**Mandhana Emulates Kohli’s Flair, Smashes T20 Century and Makes History in Number 18 Jersey**
**[City, Date]** – Smriti Mandhana has etched her name in Indian cricket history, becoming the first woman cricketer from the country to score centuries in all three formats of the game. The explosive left-handed opener achieved the feat with a blistering T20 century against England in the first T20 International.
The significance of Mandhana’s achievement is amplified by the fact that she wears the number 18 jersey, previously made iconic by Virat Kohli. While Kohli’s dominance in T20 and Test formats may have waned, Mandhana is carrying the torch for the jersey, demonstrating a similar blend of talent and aggression.
Mandhana revealed that the century was inspired by a challenge from teammate Radha Yadav, who had urged her to convert her starts into three-figure scores. “Three days ago, Radha and I were talking, and she was giving me a hard time, saying it’s time I score a T20I hundred. I was getting out on 70s and 80s, and not doing justice to my talent. I took it as a challenge and told her that this time I am going to score a century”, Mandhana said after her innings.
The opener credited Yadav’s encouragement for her innings, saying, “I didn’t expect it to come in the first match itself, but the finger is pointed towards her now because over the last 10 years, getting out at 70s and 80s when you have the chance to take the team through was disappointing”. Mandhana added that she was happy to stay at the crease until the 19th and 20th over to help take the team closer to victory.
Mandhana’s achievement has sent waves of excitement through the Indian cricketing community, solidifying her status as one of the leading players in the world and adding another chapter to the legacy of the number 18 jersey.
First Piper 