Smriti Mandhana struck yet another ODI ton during the second game of the three-match series between India Women and Australia Women at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. Her 12th ODI century has made her the joint-third highest century-maker in women's ODI cricket. She has equalled New Zealand’s Suzie Bates and England’s Tammy Beaumont for the record of most centuries in women's ODIs as an opener.
The retired Meg Lanning holds the record for most centuries
women's ODIs with 15 to her name. Mandhana, who is only 29 now, has every chance to get past Lanning's tally and create history for Indian cricket.
Speaking of her innings, she brought up the first boundary of the game through a sailing maximum off Ashleigh Gardner in the second over. Her second six came off Gardner again as she charged down the track and launched the ball into the sight screen.
She greeted Darcie Brown with a slap through cover-point and obtained a couple of boundaries off Ellyse Perry's first over. Her third six of the day brought up her half-century off 45 balls. By the end of 20 overs, Indiahad reached to 121/2. Mandhana had scored 75 off 60 balls. A glorious lofted shot over mid-off, Mandhana's 10th four, brought up the team's 150.
She did not take a lot of time from there to get to the triple-figure mark, as she has brought up the second-fastest hundred by an Indian in women's ODIs. Tahlia McGrath eventually dismissed Mandhana in the 33rd over for 117 off 91 with Gardner completing her catch near the deep midwicket fence. The scintillating knock was met by a standing ovation from the Indian dressing room.
The innings ended in a meek manner. At one point, it seemed inevitable that India would score well above 300. The hosts were dismissed for 292 in 49.5 overs. Deepti Sharma (40 off 53) was the second-highest run-getter for the Harmanpreet Kaur-led team while Darcie Brown (3/42 in eight overs) was the most successful bowler from the opposition.
