India’s premier cricketer Smriti Mandhana registered yet another magnificent century against South Africa in the second One Day International (ODI) match in Bengaluru, creating history on Wednesday, June 19. With this century, Mandhana equalled the illustrious cricketer Mithali Raj’s record for the most ODI hundreds for India, marking her seventh century to date.
Mithali Raj, who was recently in the limelight for ending her over two-year wait for an international century, set the bar high by scoring a sensational hundred in the first ODI on Sunday. This outstanding performance ensured that she overtook the current India women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s tally of five hundreds in the match, and now Mandhana has caught up with Raj’s stellar record. It is worth noting that Smriti Mandhana has achieved this feat in 127 fewer innings than her former teammate, highlighting her extraordinary prowess with the bat and suggesting a strong potential for reaching a double-digit century record soon.
Significantly, Smriti Mandhana has also become the first Indian female cricketer to score two consecutive centuries in ODIs. She has further etched her name in history by becoming the first batter to register two centuries in a bilateral ODI series for India. This latest feat saw her belting the South African bowlers and reaching her seventh century off just 103 balls, which included one six and 12 fours.
In an additional record-breaking achievement, Mandhana posted her highest ODI score, surpassing her previous best of 135, which was also scored against South Africa in Kimberly in 2017. This time, she achieved a remarkable 136 runs off just 120 balls before being dismissed while attempting a big shot off spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba.
Reflecting on the day’s play, the Indian team was compelled to bat first. The opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma saw the pair adding 38 runs for the first wicket, laying a solid foundation. After Shafali’s departure, Dayalan Hemalata came in and contributed 24 runs off 41 balls before losing her wicket in the 23rd over.
. It was then that the captain Harmanpreet Kaur joined forces with Mandhana, and the duo forged a monumental 171-run partnership for the third wicket. This became the highest-ever partnership for any wicket against South Africa by an Indian pair.
Mandhana’s form in the series has been nothing short of spectacular, and her contributions have been pivotal in India’s success. Her technique, combined with an array of strokes, has left viewers and analysts alike in awe. Cricket experts believe that Mandhana’s approach in these ODIs signifies a matured cricketer who is confident in her abilities and has an in-depth understanding of her role in the team.
Furthermore, Mandhana’s rise in women’s cricket exemplifies the growing prominence and success of the sport in India. Her achievements are inspiring a new generation of young cricketers who look up to her as a role model. The steady development in women’s cricket infrastructure in India is beginning to bear fruit as evidenced by the emergence of players like Smriti Mandhana, who are not only performing consistently but also breaking records in the international arena.
As the series progresses, anticipation is high on whether Mandhana will continue her spree of centuries and possibly even break more records. South Africa faces the challenging task of strategizing against her impeccable form to turn the tables in the upcoming matches. Meanwhile, Indian cricket fans celebrate and rally behind Mandhana, expecting more stellar performances.
The captivating contests between India and South Africa spotlight the evolving competitive nature of women’s cricket and highlight the capabilities of athletes like Smriti Mandhana. Her remarkable feats, coupled with the team’s strong performance, make for an exciting saga in the annals of cricket history, promising more thrilling moments in the fixtures to come.
