In a remarkable display of batting prowess, Smriti Mandhana etched her name in the annals of Indian cricket history during the second ODI against South Africa at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday (June 19)
Opting to bat after South Africa’s decision, Mandhana, following her impressive 117 in the previous match, crafted another sensational innings, reaching a century off just 103 deliveries. Her innings, embellished with 12 fours and two sixes, not only anchored India’s innings but also showcased her ability to dominate the opposition’s bowling attack. Mandhana eventually got out after scoring well made 136.
Records tumble as Smriti Mandhana equals Mithali Raj
Mandhana’s century in this match marked her second consecutive hundred in the series against South Africa, a feat never before achieved by an Indian female cricketer in ODIs. This milestone also saw her equal India’s former captain Mithali Raj‘s record for the most ODI centuries by an Indian woman, both boasting seven hundreds. Mandhana’s achievement is all the more impressive given that she achieved this landmark in just 84 innings whereas Mithali took 211 innings , highlighting her consistency and impact at the top of India’s batting order.
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Setting new standards in Women’s Cricket
Beyond equaling Raj’s record, Mandhana became the first Indian woman cricketer to score two centuries in a bilateral ODI series. Her partnership with Shafali Verma and later with captain Harmanpreet Kaur (108 not out) played a pivotal role in India’s innings, as they built substantial partnerships that propelled India to a commanding position in the match as it took India the humongous total of 325/3 in their alloted 50 overs. Mandhana’s ability to accelerate the scoring and stabilize the innings underscores her crucial role in the team’s success and sets a new benchmark in Indian women’s cricket.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Smriti Mandhana with back-to-back ODI tons!!!! 🙌
What an incredible series for the Indian vice-captain! #INDWvSAW pic.twitter.com/iP0dq0h0RE
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) June 19, 2024
Most ODI centuries by an Indian woman ✅️
First Indian woman to smash consecutive ODI tons ✅️
Records galore for our Captain Smriti and we couldn’t be more proud. 🙌❤️#PlayBold #TeamIndia #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/yL8AG7Db3O
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) June 19, 2024
Paddles and scoops are on with this field but those are not usually Mandhana’s shots. But she gets it away through the strongly guarded offside. #INDvSA
— Kartik O 🏏⚽🔗 (@KOCricket528) June 19, 2024
Back to back 💯
An excellent knock from Mandhana. Took her time to get going but has ensured she kicks on and gets herself and India a really good century!#INDvSA
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) June 19, 2024
2⃣nd successive 💯 of the Series
7⃣th overall 💯 in ODIs
Smriti Mandhana continues to weave her magic 🪄
What a well-paced knock this is from the #TeamIndia vice-captain! 🙌 🙌
Follow The Match ▶️ https://t.co/j8UQuA5BhS #INDvSA | @mandhana_smriti | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/ktCxfh6aK4
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) June 19, 2024
Historic Milestone in Indian Women’s Cricket!
Smriti Mandhana matches Mithali Raj’s record for the most centuries by an Indian in Women’s ODIs, reaching 7 hundreds in just 84 innings.❤️
#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/7gtUaVwXCX
— Atul (@tiwariaatul) June 19, 2024
DOUBLE CENTURY DOMINATION BY THE QUEEN! 👑
– Smriti Mandhana’s relentless assault with centuries in the 1st and 2nd ODIs is electrifying Chinnaswamy Stadium. Pure brilliance! 💯 pic.twitter.com/oYZc0n8d9y
— Dr Khushboo 🇮🇳 (@khushbookadri) June 19, 2024
7th ODI hundred for Smriti Mandhana 🏏#women #cricket #INDvSA #smritimandhana #indiancricket #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/UDK9jU8aLk
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) June 19, 2024
Smriti Mandhana complete century..😍
Special knock by Vice-Captain
First Indian to complete 7000 odi Runs in india women cricket.. ! 👑#CricketTwitter #INDvSA#smritimandhana pic.twitter.com/u9I73kYbO4
— Pruthvi Babariya 🇮🇳 (@Pruthviii98) June 19, 2024
We have entered the back-to-back hundreds era, it seems 🏏
Smriti Mandhana strikes her second consecutive international century in the #INDvSA ODI series at Chinnaswamy. pic.twitter.com/LgSSamyi0j
— Annesha Ghosh (@ghosh_annesha) June 19, 2024
Another day, another century for Smriti Mandhana! 👑 pic.twitter.com/A30mZNOgN1
— Prathamesh Avachare (@onlyprathamesh) June 19, 2024
https://twitter.com/rhitankar8616/status/1803376713482539151
Back to back hundreds against South Africa by the queen of Bengaluru ❤️
Take a bow Smriti Mandhana. pic.twitter.com/IMqCDNgpuD
— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) June 19, 2024
Back to back centuries from Smriti Mandhana. Also a better than last one calm, composed, good pick of shots. 1st Indian women batter to score back to back centuries. ❤️💥
— Joe Vignesh (@JoeVignesh5) June 19, 2024
Back to back century by smriti mandhana equalling mithali raj 7th centuries highest for an indian.
This is the first time indian women player has hit bact to back centuries in wodi.@mandhana_smriti pic.twitter.com/OXUyGjcBWl
— Rahul Mehra (@RahulMehra11686) June 19, 2024
Smriti Mandhana becomes the first Asian woman to hit consecutive ODI hundreds, also equalling Mithali Raj for the most ODI centuries among Indian women with her seventh ton.#INDvSA
— Lalith Kalidas (@lal__kal) June 19, 2024
Smriti Mandhana is on fire! 🔥 Back-to-back hundreds in the ODI series against South Africa is a phenomenal feat. Truly the best batter in women’s cricket right now!
— Femi (@LagosDaddyGO) June 19, 2024
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
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