Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana continued her red-hot form, etching her name in the history books with a magnificent century in the second ODI against South Africa. Following up on her match-winning 117 in the previous encounter, Mandhana struck another powerful hundred, this time a 103-ball knock, propelling India to a strong position.
Dominant Mandhana Equals Mithali Raj’s Record
Mandhana’s knock was laced with 12 boundaries and 2 sixes, showcasing her aggressive batting style. This century not only put India in a commanding position but also saw her equal the legendary Mithali Raj‘s record for most ODI hundreds for India (7). By the time this news was being written, Mandhana was batting unbeaten on 123 off 115 balls, laced with 15 fours and 2 sixes.
Interestingly, Mithali Raj herself broke a two-year international century drought with a sublime ton in the first ODI. She surpassed Harmanpreet Kaur‘s tally of five centuries to reach this milestone.
Mandhana on Track to Surpass Records
While both Mandhana and Raj stand at 7 ODI centuries, it’s worth noting that Mandhana has achieved this feat in a significantly shorter time frame. Having played just 84 innings compared to Mithali Raj’s 211, Mandhana is on a remarkable trajectory. Experts believe she is well on her way to becoming the outright leader in terms of ODI centuries for India.
Mandhana’s consistent performances have not gone unnoticed on the international stage. She currently ranks sixth on the all-time list of run-scorers among women openers in ODIs. With her latest century, she has also climbed to joint-third in terms of centuries scored by openers in the format.
This achievement puts her in esteemed company alongside established names like Suzie Bates (New Zealand), Tammy Beaumont (England), and Charlotte Edwards (England), who all hold the record for most ODI hundreds among women openers (12).
Cementing Her Legacy as a World-Class Opener
Smriti Mandhana’s back-to-back centuries are a testament to her talent and temperament. She is not only the first Indian woman to achieve this feat but also the first Asian woman to score consecutive ODI tons since New Zealand’s Amy Satterthwaite, who managed a record-breaking four consecutive centuries in 2016-17.
With her consistent run-scoring and aggressive style, Smriti Mandhana is not only leading India’s batting charge but also inspiring a new generation of young female cricketers.
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