Smriti Mandhana on Wednesday in the second ODI against Australia at New Chandigarh, smashing a century off just 77 balls, registering the second-fastest ODI hundred ever by an Indian woman.
The elegant left-hander already holds the record for the fastest century by an Indian batter, having achieved a blistering 70-ball hundred against Ireland.
In addition to this feat, Mandhana set a new benchmark for the most runs scored by an Indian woman in a single calendar year, surpassing Deepti Sharma’s previous record of 787 runs from 20 matches in 2017.
This magnificent innings also propelled Mandhana to equal Tammy Beaumont in third place on the list of most hundreds in Women’s ODIs. Meanwhile, the legendary Meg Lanning, who retired from international cricket in November 2023, remains the all-time leader with 15 centuries.
Mandhana’s century was not only rapid but also historic, becoming the fastest hundred scored against Australia in women’s ODI cricket. The previous record was held by Nat Sciver Brunt, who took 79 balls to reach her hundred.
Mandhana’s knock eventually ended at 117 runs off 91 deliveries when she was caught at deep midwicket off Tahlia McGrath’s bowling.
More to follow…