IND W vs AUS W: Smriti Mandhana hits fastest century by an Indian in ODIs, beats Virat Kohli's record

Smriti Mandhana played a gem of an innings in the third and final ODI against Australia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday, September 20. Chasing a mammoth target of 413, India needed their talismanic opener to fire, and she did so with aplomb.

Mandhana hit a boundary off the second ball she faced in the innings. However, in the following over, she cut loose, slamming Megan Schutt for a hat-trick of boundaries. While Pratika Rawal was dismissed in the subsequent over, Mandhana went from

strength to strength.

The southpaw hit his first six of the innings in the fifth over against Ashleigh Gardner. While Harleen Deol took her time to get settled at the crease, Mandhana kept her foot on the accelerator. In the seventh over, Mandhana got to her half-century off just 23 balls. This turned out to be the fastest half-century in Women's ODI history by an Indian batter.

Mandhana was given a reprieve by Grace Harris in the 10th over of the innings. The Mumbai batter made Australia pay for the mistake as she forged a 121-run stand off 69 balls with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.

Off the second ball of the 18th over, Mandhana launched Alana King for a six over mid-wicket to get to a splendid century. She broke the record for the fastest century by an Indian batter in Women's ODIs. Virat Kohli held the previous record, getting to a three-figure score off 52 balls against Australia in 2013 in Jaipur. Mandhana bettered that record by two balls. This is also the second-fastest ODI century in women's cricket history.

The 29-year-old was eventually dismissed for 125 after facing 63 deliveries. She hit 17 fours and five maximums, finishing with an awe-inspiring strike rate of 198.41. Harris got the better of her in the 22nd over, holing out to Gardner at deep square leg. This is Mandhana's 13th ton in ODI cricket.