Smriti Mandhana, RCB Women's captain, topped ICC Women's ODI batting rankings in 2026 after leading her team to their first WPL title in 2024.
As a trailblazer in women's cricket, Mandhana steered Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their historic Women's Premier League championship in 2024. Consistently excelling across all formats, she now holds the top position in the ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings. Her outstanding performances have cemented her status as one of India's most financially successful female cricketers. In the Women’s Premier League, the left-handed opener served as RCB’s skipper and became the most coveted acquisition at the 2023 auction, commanding INR 3.4 crore—the highest bid in WPL history. Outside India, she has competed in Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League and England’s The Hundred, reportedly earning around INR 3 lakh and USD $75,000 per season respectively. Mandhana holds a Grade A central contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, which guarantees her INR 50 lakh annually as a base salary. Alongside this, she receives match fees of INR 15 lakh for Test matches, INR 6 lakh for One Day Internationals, and INR 3 lakh for T20 Internationals. Since debuting in 2013, she has remained a cornerstone of India’s batting lineup and occupies the highest tier in the BCCI’s women’s contract categories. Top 10 highest-paid cricketers by their National Boards Now aged 29, Mandhana ranks among the most sought-after athletes for brand collaborations. Following her WPL triumph with RCB Women, her market appeal surged by 30%. She has partnered with an extensive portfolio of brands including Hyundai, Red Bull, Nike, Hero Motocorp, Garnier, Mastercard, Havells, Gulf Oil India, Wrangler, PlayerzPot, Neem Ayu, PNB MetLife, Equitas Small Finance Bank, Rexona India, and UNICEF India. Additionally, she represents Bata’s ‘Power’ activewear line and the wellness brand Herbalife. Industry sources indicate her endorsement deals are valued between INR 50 to INR 75 lakh per agreement. Shubman Gill vs Rishabh Pant: Brand value comparison Mandhana makes her home in Sangli, Maharashtra, where she resides in a spacious and stylish house. The property boasts contemporary décor, a private home theatre, a dedicated gym, a well-stocked library, and a landscaped garden. A standout feature is a separate guest house on the premises displaying her extensive collection of trophies and accolades. She frequently enjoys spending quality time at this residence with her family. According to reports, she also owns additional real estate in Delhi and Mumbai. In her hometown, she operates a café named SM-18 Sports Café. Her vehicle collection includes a Maruti Suzuki Swift (INR 12 lakh), a Hyundai Creta (INR 21 lakh), and a Range Rover Evoque (INR 70 lakh). The Maruti Swift was the first car she acquired in 2015 and presented it to her father. Subsequently, she bought a white Hyundai Creta for her brother. Intriguingly, Mandhana has mentioned her brother occasionally encourages her to purchase an Audi or BMW, though she has expressed a desire to own a van one day.