India vs SA Women: Smriti Mandhana’s Record Breaking Century
Who says Women can’t play cricket? Over the last few years, the Women’s cricket team has performed brilliantly and set a new record for the next generation. Not only national level but women are playing stunningly at the international level and breaking or setting new records. Particularly talking about the India women’s cricket team, cricketer Smriti Mandhana has made India proud by establishing two records which make her the first Indian woman to score consecutive ODI centuries. The women’s cricket team opener created history on Wednesday, 19 June 2024 during the second ODI match. She made two records during the battle between India and South Africa at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
After India defeated the Laura Wolvaardt-led team by 143 runs in the series opener on Sunday at the same location, Mandhana blasted 136 runs in 120 balls as they looked to win the series. Mandhana struck 117 off 127 in the opening match of the series in Bengaluru, laying 12 boundaries and one six, which was enough to push India to a match-winning total of 265 for eight. intriguingly, she is the only one who scored this much as no other batter made to get more than 40 score.
With these records she proved why she is known to be one of the finest players in the team. She is even famous for giving tough competition to opponents when it comes to batting. Additionally, she also matched the record of former India captain Mithali Raj’s record for the most centuries scored in the 50-over game. In Wednesday’s match, Mandhana scored 136 runs and her seventh ODI century brings her 10th on the all-time list for most centuries scored in the 50-over game. Meg Lanning, a former captain of Australia, is still leading the chart with 15 tons.
Smriti Mandhana achieved highest score
Smriti Mandhana achieved her highest score to date, 136 runs in 120 balls, and her sixth ODI century was achieved in just 84 innings, among other things. Earlier, in 2018, she made 135 scores against South Africa. Mandhana’s 136 is also the highest score she has ever scored for India in a home women’s ODI. She surpassed the score of Sandhya Agarwal who set the record in 1986 in the Test series against England. She has tied for third place among openers, behind Suzie Bates of New Zealand (12) and Tammy Beaumont and Charlotte Edwards of England (9).
The current series is a part of the ICC Women’s Championship cycle for 2022–2025. Ten teams will compete in a one-day game to see who qualifies for the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup. India has already qualified for the tournament by being the host nation. However, Australia are the two-time defending champions, having victory in the 2014-16 and 2017-20 cycles. Speaking of Wednesday’s match, India’s women’s team played against South Africa’s team and ended with 325 runs. India women’s cricket team also lost 3 wickets against South Africa. It is worth noting that it is the third time, Indian tea scored more than their 325 runds. India scored 358 for 2 against Ireland in 2017 and in 2022, India scored 333 for 5 against England.
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On Friday, June 23, the series finale against South Africa will take place in Bengaluru. A single Test match and three Twenty20 International matches will follow in Chennai.