Current Affairs - Sports - Discussion

Smriti Mandhana, the vice-captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, received a unique honour when Mattel created a Barbie doll in her likeness ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026. The doll was introduced as part of the Barbie Dream Team initiative and serves as a non-commercial tribute celebrating her achievements and role as an inspiration for young athletes. Mandhana has also made history by becoming the first Indian woman cricketer to score centuries in all three international formats—Tests, One Day Internationals, and T20 Internationals. This recognition highlights the growing global influence of Indian women’s cricket and encourages more girls to pursue sports professionally.