In a major boost for the newly rebranded Manchester Super Giants, Indian batting sensation Smriti Mandhana has been signed to play in the Women's Hundred 2026 season.
The announcement, made on January 15, 2026, comes shortly after the Manchester Originals were acquired and transformed into Manchester Super Giants under the ownership of RP-Sanjiv Goenka's RPSG Group, which also owns IPL's Lucknow Super Giants.
Mandhana, India's vice-captain and one of the world's most elegant left-handed openers, returns to The Hundred after a highly successful stint with Southern Brave from 2021 to 2024. During that period, she amassed 676 runs in 29 innings at an impressive strike rate of 139.09, including five half-centuries, and became the first player to surpass
500 runs in the tournament's history. She was part of the Brave side that lifted the title in 2023.
The signing follows an outstanding 2025 for Mandhana, where she played a pivotal role in India's historic maiden ICC Women's ODI World Cup triumph. Carrying that momentum, she has continued to shine as a top-order anchor in the ongoing Women's Premier League (WPL) for Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women.
Manchester Super Giants' women's team now boasts a formidable lineup, featuring former Australia captain Meg Lanning, England spinner Sophie Ecclestone (retained), and Mandhana as a marquee overseas signing. Owner Sanjiv Goenka expressed his delight at the move, highlighting the blend of "experience and excellence" in the squad, with Mandhana and Lanning adding global firepower to challenge for the title.
The 2026 Hundred season is scheduled from July 21 to August 16, with fixtures to be revealed later this month and the full player auction set for March. The rebranding includes a new elephant logo symbolizing strength and continuity, marking an ambitious new era for the franchise at Old Trafford.
