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India’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana lit up the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, reminding everyone once again why she is the heartbeat of Indian women’s cricket. With elegance, timing, and authority, the left-hander carved out her 12th One-Day International century against Australia — reaching the mark in just 77 balls. A soaring six over mid-off sealed the moment, drawing roars from the stands as well as admiration from the cricketing world.
Smriti Mandhana registers a unique record as an opener
For Mandhana, who first walked into international cricket back in 2013, this wasn’t just another hundred. It was proof of her remarkable consistency at the very top of the order. With 4724 ODI runs now to her name at an enviable average of 47.42, she has joined New Zealand’s Suzie Bates and England’s Tammy Beaumont on 12 centuries each — though she got there quicker than either of them.
Her knock against Australia was a classic Mandhana innings. Fifty came up in 45 balls, peppered with effortless drives and inventive strokes, before she accelerated to three figures in typical style. It was her second-fastest ODI hundred this year, bettered only by her own 70-ball effort against Ireland in Rajkot.
Mandhana now sits joint-third on the all-time list of most women’s ODI centuries, behind Meg Lanning (15) and Bates (13). She has also shown an uncanny knack for turning starts into big scores, with 33 half-centuries already in her kitty. Add to that her rare feat of scoring centuries in all three formats — Tests, ODIs, and T20Is — and her place among the modern greats of the game looks secure.
Her run tally also places her second among women’s ODI openers, trailing only Bates. With her ability to take on both spin and pace, she remains one of the most feared batters in the world. Earlier in the series, she had already reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings after a gritty 58 in the first match.
Mandhana’s timely form ahead of the WODI World Cup
What makes this century even more significant is its timing. India is preparing to host the Women’s World Cup later this month, and Mandhana’s form couldn’t be better. In 2024 alone, she racked up 1602 runs across formats — more than any other player in the women’s game. With India chasing its first-ever global trophy in women’s cricket, her performances at the top will be crucial.
Beyond the runs, Mandhana brings leadership. As vice-captain, she has been a calming presence for younger batters, often steering India through tense chases and tricky situations. Her hundred in Mullanpur wasn’t just about personal glory — it was a statement of intent for the team and the fans.
Also READ: Smriti Mandhana tops ICC Women’s ODI batter rankings; overtakes Nat Sciver-Brunt
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
