Manchester Super Giants signs Smriti Mandhana for Women’s Hundred 2026

India’s vice captain and opener Smriti Mandhana will return to The Women’s Hundred in 2026 after being officially signed by the newly rebranded Manchester Super Giants. The announcement, made on January

15, is a significant development for both the franchise and the tournament, as one of the world’s most celebrated batters joins a team undergoing a major transformation ahead of the upcoming season.

The signing follows Manchester Originals being rebranded as Manchester Super Giants after the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group (RPSG) acquired a 70 percent stake in partnership with Lancashire Cricket. The franchise will continue to play its home matches at Emirates Old Trafford, but with a new name. 

Manchester Super Giants owner, Sanjiv Goenka, opened up about integrating the Manchester franchise into the Super Giants family, calling it the beginning of a new chapter rooted in ambition and sustained growth in UK cricket. 

Smriti Mandhana was one of the most consistent batters in tournament’s early years

Mandhana returns to The Hundred after representing Southern Brave Women from 2021 to 2024. During her four-season stint, the left-handed opener scored 676 runs in 29 innings at a strike rate of 139.09, including five half-centuries. She was one of the most consistent batters in the tournament’s early years and became the first player to cross 500 runs in Women’s Hundred history. Her best performances included back-to-back fifties in 2023 and a strong 2022 campaign where she finished as Southern Brave’s top scorer.

Her signing follows a stellar 2025 season, during which she played a crucial role in India’s maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup win. Mandhana has also carried that form into the Women’s Premier League, where she has anchored the top order and made notable contributions for Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women.

The Manchester Super Giants have also announced a new coaching structure. Tom Moody has been appointed Global Director of Cricket, Matthew Mott will coach the women’s team, and Justin Langer will take charge of the men’s team. On the men’s front, the franchise has secured players such as Jos Buttler, Heinrich Klaasen, Noor Ahmad, and Liam Dawson.