Smriti Mandhana lit up the DY Patil Stadium on Saturday (January 17) with one of the finest innings in Women's Premier League history, narrowly missing out on a maiden century but rewriting the record
books along the way.
Opening the innings for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against the Jemimah Rodrigues-led Delhi Capitals, the RCB skipper hammered a superb 96 off 61 balls, showcasing elegance, timing, and controlled power throughout her stay at the crease.
Mandhana's innings featured 13 boundaries and three sixes, and although she fell just four runs short of becoming the first Indian player to score a WPL century, her knock created history. With her 96, she surpassed Harmanpreet Kaur's previous record for the highest score by an Indian batter in the league. Harmanpreet's unbeaten 95-scored during Mumbai Indians' chase against Gujarat Giants at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on March 9, 2024-had stood as the national benchmark for two seasons.
The WPL, now in its third edition, is still waiting for its first-ever century, despite several close calls. The overall highest individual score in league history still belongs to New Zealand superstar Sophie Devine. Representing RCB in the 2023 season, Devine smashed a breathtaking 99 off just 36 balls against Gujarat Giants at the Brabourne Stadium on March 18, 2023-a knock remembered for its sheer brutality and strike rate.
In 2025, Australian batter Georgia Voll nearly crossed the three-figure mark as well. Playing for UP Warriorz against RCB in Lucknow on March 8, 2025, she finished unbeaten on 99 from 56 balls. Her heartbreak came in unusual fashion, as she did not get to face the final delivery of the innings, ending one run short of history.
Interestingly, Devine remains the only batter in WPL history to have crossed the 90-run mark twice, underlining her impact on the league's batting records.
Mandhana, with her latest effort, has not only revived the conversation around WPL's elusive first century but has also laid down a strong marker for the remainder of the 2026 season. Her innings stands out as a blend of skill and temperament, reaffirming her stature among the premier batters in world cricket.
