Smriti Mandhana, the Indian star opener, continues to rewrite history books. In a recent ODI against South Africa, Mandhana unleashed a dominant knock, scoring her career-best 136 runs off just 120 balls. Her innings was a masterclass in strokeplay, studded with 18 boundaries and 2 sixes. Unfortunately, her dismissal by Nonkululeko Mlaba while attempting a big shot over the cover region halted her progress.
This knock wasn’t just about the highest score; it was about etching her name in the record books. Mandhana’s brilliance secured her a place alongside the legendary Mithali Raj for most ODI centuries by an Indian woman (7).
Dominant Performance, Record-Equalling Feat
Mandhana’s knock came after a stellar performance in the previous ODI against South Africa. She had scored a brilliant 117 runs, the highest by an Indian batter at home in the format. Carrying that form into the next match, she took charge from the very beginning, leading the Indian batting attack after South Africa opted to field. Her hundred came in just 103 balls, a testament to her aggressive yet controlled batting style.
It’s important to note that Mandhana achieved this feat in significantly fewer innings than Mithali Raj. While Raj has 7 tons in 211 innings, Mandhana has reached the same milestone in just 84 innings. This highlights her exceptional consistency and rapid rise in the cricketing world. Experts believe she is well on track to surpass the double-digit mark for ODI centuries.
Records Tumble as Mandhana Shines
This match wasn’t just about individual brilliance; Mandhana also became the first Indian woman cricketer to score consecutive centuries in ODIs. Incidentally, she is also the first Asian woman to achieve back-to-back ODI tons since New Zealand‘s Amy Satterthwaite, who holds the record for four consecutive centuries in 2016-17.
Mandhana’s knock has solidified her position as one of the most dominant openers in women’s ODI cricket. She already ranks sixth on the all-time list of run-scorers among women openers. With her seventh ton, she has also climbed to joint-third in terms of centuries scored by openers in the format.
Smriti Mandhana‘s performance is a true inspiration for aspiring young cricketers. Her dedication, aggressive batting style, and ability to perform consistently make her a force to be reckoned with in the cricketing world.
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