In a remarkable display of batting, SmritiMandhana smashed the fastest One-Day International century by an Indian woman, reaching the milestone in just 70 balls during the third ODI against Ireland in Rajkot. The stand-in captain, filling in for Harmanpreet Kaur, lit up the innings with a stellar performance, scoring 135 runs off 80 balls, including 12 boundaries and seven sixes.
Mandhana’s record-breaking century surpassed the previous mark held by Kaur, who scored a hundred in 87 balls against South Africa last year. This achievement places Mandhana’s hundred as the joint-seventh fastest in ODI history, equaling former England cricketer Charlotte Edwards’ record from 2012.
With this century, Mandhana became the first Indian woman to hit 10 centuries in ODIs, moving into joint third place on the all-time list alongside England’s Tammy Beaumont. The record for most centuries is held by Australia’s Meg Lanning with 15.
Mandhana’s explosive innings contributed to India’s total of 233 runs in just 26.4 overs, showcasing her exceptional form and solidifying her status as a key player in women’s cricket. The match highlighted her ability to perform under pressure and her significant role in the team’s success.
