In a remarkable performance, Smriti Mandhana has set a new record for the most ODI centuries by an Indian woman, surpassing the legendary Mithali Raj. Mandhana’s eighth ODI century came in a recent series against New Zealand, where her resilient 100 off 122 balls led India to a series-deciding victory. This achievement reflects her incredible consistency and skill in international cricket, placing her among the elite players in women’s ODI cricket.
Mandhana’s knock was instrumental in helping India win the three-match series 2-1, marking a crucial win for the team after recent setbacks. Reflecting on her performance, Mandhana expressed how essential patience and composure were to her innings, especially after struggling in the previous games. “I had to wait for the right moment and make it count for the team,” she said during the post-match interview.
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised Mandhana’s dedication and performance, saying, “Smriti stepped up exactly when the team needed it the most. Watching her achieve this milestone is inspiring for all of us”.
Mandhana’s journey has not only led her to break Raj’s long-standing record but has also placed her close to other global icons. The only players ahead of her now in ODI centuries include Australia’s Meg Lanning and South Africa’s Lizelle Lee. As Mandhana nears 4,000 ODI runs, she is also just shy of another landmark: 8,000 runs across formats, closing in on Mithali Raj’s all-time run record for Indian women.
(By Sumit Singh, Web Team at C6N)
