Smriti Mandhana Makes History with Four ODI Hundreds in a Calendar Year

Indian women’s cricket star Smriti Mandhana has etched her name in history by becoming the first female batter to score four ODI hundreds in a calendar year. The left-handed opener achieved this incredible milestone during the third ODI against Australia on December 11 at the WACA in Perth. This record-breaking feat has set her apart in women’s cricket, further solidifying her reputation as one of the finest batters of her generation.

A Record to Remember

Mandhana’s achievement puts her in an elite league of players who have displayed consistent brilliance in One-Day Internationals. Before Mandhana, some of the greatest names in women’s cricket, including Belinda Clark (1997), Meg Lanning (2016), Amy Satterthwaite (2016), Sophie Devine (2018), Sidra Amin (2022), Nat Sciver-Brunt (2023), and Laura Wolvaardt (2024), managed three ODI centuries in a calendar year. However, Mandhana has gone one step further, showcasing her unmatched skill and determination.

Chasing Records and Legends

With this century, Mandhana also equaled the record of Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu for the most Women’s ODI hundreds (9). The Indian star now stands alongside legends like former England captain Charlotte Edwards and Nat Sciver-Brunt, both of whom also have nine hundreds to their credit. Australia’s Meg Lanning continues to hold the record for the most Women’s ODI hundreds, with an impressive 15 centuries.

A Stunning Comeback

Mandhana’s journey in the ongoing ODI series against Australia had a slow start. In the first two matches, she could only manage scores of 8 and 9 runs, respectively. However, her third ODI performance was nothing short of spectacular. Batting with confidence and precision, Mandhana scored a breathtaking 105 runs off 109 balls. Her innings included 14 boundaries and one six, a testament to her ability to dominate world-class bowling attacks.

Squads for the ODI Series

India Squad:

Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Priya Punia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Richa Ghosh (wicket-keeper), Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Minnu Mani, Priya Mishra, Radha Yadav, Titas Sadhu, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Saima Thakor, Uma Chetry (wicket-keeper).

Australia Squad:

Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield (wicket-keeper), Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney (wicket-keeper), Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.

A Milestone for Indian Cricket

Mandhana’s historic innings comes at a time when women’s cricket is gaining increasing recognition and support worldwide. Her achievements serve as an inspiration not only to aspiring cricketers in India but also to fans around the globe who admire the game. Her record-breaking century is a reminder of the immense talent and potential that women’s cricket offers.

Looking Ahead

As the series continues, Mandhana will undoubtedly aim to build on this momentum and contribute further to her team’s success. With the likes of Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues also in the squad, Indian cricket fans have plenty to look forward to.

Smriti Mandhana’s name will now forever be associated with excellence and resilience, inspiring a new generation of cricketers to dream big and break barriers. Her journey is a testament to the fact that hard work, talent, and perseverance can lead to extraordinary achievements in the world of sports.