The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru witnessed a brilliant performance from Smriti Mandhana as she scored her second consecutive hundred against South Africa. With this extraordinary feat, Mandana not only equaled Virat Kohli’s record but also set new standards in women’s cricket. Her innings, coupled with Harmanpreet Kaur’s stellar support, paved the way for India to dominate the series.
Mandana’s centenary record: a record-breaking journey
Smriti Mandhana’s journey through the centuries is a testament to her extraordinary talent and determination. Her aggressive yet elegant batting style has South Africa’s bowlers scrambling for answers. Mandana’s knock of 136 was her highest score on home soil but came off just 123 balls with 14 boundaries and three sixes. The innings marked her seventh ODI century, making her the Indian woman with the most centuries in the format.
Partner of the Year: The unstoppable duo of Mandhana and Kaur
The highlight of the match was the partnership between Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur. They smashed 171 runs for the third wicket in 136 balls and are now the fastest Indian pair to score 150-plus runs in women’s ODIs. With a run-rate of 7.54, they surpassed the previous record held by Punam Raut and Deepti Sharma. This explosive partnership not only showcases their synergy, but also highlights their ability to dominate games.
Break records and set benchmarks
Mandana’s performance broke several records and set new benchmarks in women’s cricket:
Most centuries in ODIs: Mandhana is now seven centuries ahead of the legendary Mithali Raj.
Fastest 150+ partnership: Along with Kaur, Mandhana set a new record for fastest 150+ partnership for the third wicket.
Highest individual score on home soil: Mandhana’s 136 runs is currently the highest individual score by an Indian woman in ODIs.
Match summary: India vs South Africa
South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first, aiming to take advantage of the morning conditions. However, their plans were soon foiled by the strong Indian batting line-up. Mandhana’s solid start, coupled with Kaur’s aggressive play, saw India post a mammoth 325/3 in 50 overs. Kaur remained unbeaten on 103 with 11 boundaries and 2 sixes in her innings.
South Africa’s struggle and India’s dominance
In response, South Africa struggled to gain momentum against a disciplined Indian bowling attack. Despite some resistance, they managed to register a 200-run victory as India posted a comprehensive victory of 125 runs. The win highlighted not only India’s batting prowess but also the depth of India’s bowling line-up, with both spinners and pacers chipping in on crucial wickets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Smriti Mandhana has scored seven centuries in ODIs, making her the leading Indian woman in the category.
Mandhana and Kaur set the record for the fastest 150+ run partnership for the third wicket in women’s ODIs, scoring 171 runs off 136 balls.
India’s total score in 50 overs was 325/3.
South Africa were bowled out for 200 and India posted a resounding victory of 125.
Conclusion
Smriti Mandhana not only equaled Virat Kohli’s record with back-to-back centuries against South Africa, but also set a new benchmark in women’s cricket. Her stellar performance, coupled with the support of Harmanpreet Kaur, paved the way for India’s dominance in the series. As Mandana continues to break records and inspire future generations, the future of Indian women’s cricket looks brighter than ever. Fans are eagerly waiting for more electrifying performances from the dynamic duo to ensure that Indian cricket remains at the pinnacle of excellence.
