Smriti Mandhana creates history in the 3rd ODI match of the ongoing Australia W vs. India W series. Smriti scored a century in this game, which was her fourth ODI century of the year; however, India lost the match, but Smriti etched her name in the history books. With her 105-run inning, Smriti got the remarkable achievement of setting a new world record for the most centuries scored in a calendar year in women’s ODIs.
The first player to score four centuries in a calendar year in women's ODIs 💯
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 12, 2024
Smriti Mandhana has had a great 2024 with the bat so far ⭐ https://t.co/f6zMso5PdZ #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/ceIBuewk2L
Mandhana’s century came when India was chasing down a target of 299. Despite losing her opening partner, Richa Ghosh, early in the game, Mandhana stood out in an otherwise dismal performance by the Indian batting team.
After that, Alana King dismissed Harleen Deol for 39; despite Mandhana held the innings together as wickets dropped around her. Harmanpreet Kaur scored only 12 runs from 22 balls before being dismissed, while Jemimah Rodrigues added 16. Deepti Sharma, Minnu Mani, and Saima Thakor were all unable to score more than single digits.
Mandhana got her half-century off 50 balls and then reached century in 103 balls. However, she was dismissed in less than two overs for 105, and India’s batting collapsed right after that.
After two centuries against South Africa in June and another against New Zealand in October, this was Mandhana’s fourth century of the year. Her four centuries in a single calendar year created a new record in women’s one-day internationals, beating the previous record of seven players who each hit three centuries in a year.
Mandhana’s this knock moved her up in the all-time list of centuries in women’s ODIs, raising her total to nine. She is now tied with Nat Sciver-Brunt, Chamari Athapaththu, and Charlotte Edwards for fourth place. Tammy Beaumont, with 10 ODI centuries; Suzi Bates, with 13; and Meg Lanning, with 15, are still ahead of Smriti on this list.
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