Smriti Mandhana delivered a performance of unparalleled brilliance in the second ODI against Australia on September 17, scoring a scintillating 117 off 91 balls to lead India to a historic 102-run triumph. Smriti Mandhana‘s 12th ODI century, a masterclass in aggressive yet calculated batting, not only powered India to a formidable 292 but also leveled the three-match series against the formidable Australians. Mandhana’s innings, marked by exquisite strokeplay and tactical acumen, underscored her status as one of the world’s premier openers and the cornerstone of India’s batting lineup.
Explosive Beginnings: Dominating the Powerplay
From the moment she took guard, Mandhana exuded intent against a high-caliber Australian bowling attack. Facing the pace of Darcie Brown and the guile of Ashleigh Gardner, she unleashed a flurry of boundaries in the powerplay, capitalizing on the fielding restrictions. Her first scoring shot, a pristine cover drive off Brown, set the tone, and by the sixth over, she had raced to 42 runs at a strike rate exceeding 200. Her arsenal—crisp drives, deft lofts, and punishing pulls—disrupted Australia’s plans, as she exploited gaps with surgical precision. This early onslaught laid the foundation for India’s imposing total, with Mandhana’s aggression ensuring momentum never wavered.
As the field spread, Mandhana’s adaptability shone. She reached her fifty off 38 balls, marked by a sumptuous straight drive that drew roars from the New Chandigarh crowd. Her ability to rotate the strike while punishing loose deliveries kept the scoreboard ticking, even as wickets fell around her. The century, achieved in just 77 deliveries with 14 fours and two sixes, was among the fastest by an Indian woman in ODIs. Her dismissal at 117, though untimely, came after she had single-handedly positioned India for a score that pressured Australia’s chase.
Record-Breaking Feat of Smriti Mandhana: Joining the Elite
Mandhana’s 117 was not just a match-defining knock; it cemented her place among cricketing royalty. With this century, she equaled the record for the most ODI hundreds by an opener, joining New Zealand’s Suzie Bates and England’s Tammy Beaumont with 12 tons. Achieving this in just 106 innings—compared to Bates’ 130 and Beaumont’s 113—highlights her remarkable efficiency. All 12 of her centuries have come as an opener, a testament to her consistency in a high-pressure role. For India, she remains the undisputed leader in ODI hundreds, her record a beacon of excellence in women’s cricket.
A Defining Moment: Player of the Match
Named Player of the Match for the 17th time in ODIs, Mandhana reflected on the joy of a winning cause. “The last two hundreds against Australia were in losing causes, so happy we won today,” she said. Her 117 provided the “20-30 runs extra cushion” for India’s bowlers, a nod to her team-oriented mindset. As the series heads to a decider in Delhi on September 20, Mandhana’s performance stands as a testament to her growth, blending flair with discipline to deliver when it mattered most.