In a truly electrifying performance, Smriti Mandhana showcased her unparalleled skill, smashing a scintillating 77-ball century—the fastest ever against Australia in Women’s One Day Internationals. This masterclass led India to an emphatic 102-run victory in the second WODI at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur.
Smriti Mandhana celebrates after scoring her brilliant century against Australia. (Image courtesy: BCCI)
This win is nothing short of historic. It represents Australia’s heaviest defeat margin in a WODI and halts their impressive 13-match winning streak in the format. Furthermore, it’s India’s first WODI victory over Australia on home soil in 18 years, with their last home win dating back to 2007, and their first overall against the Aussies in WODIs since September 26, 2021.
The spectacular comeback has leveled the series at 1-1, transforming the upcoming third and final ODI in Delhi on September 20 into a highly anticipated, blockbuster decider. This resounding success, following a strong tour of England, provides a significant morale boost for India as they look ahead to the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, set to commence on September 30 in Guwahati.
Mandhana’s glorious 91-ball innings, featuring 14 exquisitely timed fours and four towering sixes, illuminated the stadium as India posted a formidable total of 292 in 49.5 overs. Their vastly improved fielding, despite a few dropped catches, and incisive bowling then saw Australia bundled out for a mere 190 in just 40.4 overs.
India’s bowling attack, bouncing back from a lackluster performance in the first WODI, was spearheaded by young seamer Kranti Goud, who claimed an impressive three wickets for 29 runs in 9.5 overs, including the final dismissal. Off-spinner Deepti Sharma, who contributed a crucial 40 runs earlier, chipped in with two wickets for 24 runs in six overs. The team’s fielding was also commendable, highlighted by pacer Arundhati Reddy’s three superb catches, captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s sharp grab at extra cover to dismiss Annabel Sutherland (45 off 42 balls), and Radha Yadav’s brilliant caught and bowled effort to remove Alysse Perry for 44 runs.
A strategic shift in India’s bowling composition, opting for three seamers instead of four spinners by bringing in Reddy and resting left-arm spinner Shree Charani, paid dividends. Australia also opted to rest their explosive opener Phoebe Litchfield, who had scored 88 off 80 balls in the first WODI, to give game time to Georgia Voll.
With her current blazing form, Mandhana is undeniably shaping up to be India’s crucial player for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. However, the team does face some concerns heading into the major tournament. Middle-order batter Jemimah Rodrigues was ruled out of the remaining series matches due to viral fever, though Mandhana’s explosive batting helped cushion this blow. Veteran pacer Renuka Singh Thakur made her return after a nine-month injury layoff but was hampered by cramps, unable to complete her spell after taking one wicket for 28 runs in 6.3 overs. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s form is another minor worry; she was dismissed for 17 runs off 26 balls, bringing her series total to 28 runs in two matches.
Mandhana’s dominant performance saw her break multiple records en route to her 12th WODI century. She reached the landmark with a majestic lofted six off Tahlia McGrath in the 29th over. This century surpassed England’s Nat Sciver’s 79-ball effort from the 2022 World Cup to become the fastest WODI hundred against Australia. It also stands as the second-fastest century by an Indian woman in ODIs, just behind her own 70-ball hundred against Ireland earlier this year. This marks Mandhana’s third WODI century this year, adding to her four centuries last year.
Having recently reclaimed the No. 1 ranking in WODIs with her 58-run knock in the first match, Mandhana has now equaled the record for most women’s ODI centuries by an opener. Her 12th century in 106 innings as an opener for India puts her alongside New Zealand’s Suzie Bates and England’s Tammy Beaumont. Globally, Mandhana is joint-third on the WODI century-makers’ list, with only Meg Lanning (15) and Bates (13) ahead of her. Notably, this is her third WODI hundred against Australia, making her the Asian batter with the most WODI centuries against them. She now boasts 15 international hundreds, solidifying her position as the Asian batter with the highest number of international centuries in women’s cricket history.