Smriti Mandhana created a story before the Odi World Cup; becomes the first Indian to …

Smriti Mandhana saved her best for the big stage. On a humid afternoon in New Chandigarh, the Indian vice-captain dismantled Australia’s celebrated bowling attack with a century that was as emphatic as it was historic. Using the crease cleverly, rocking back to cut when width was offered and dancing down the track to loft with authority, Mandhana looked every bit the batter in her prime.

Smriti Mandhana show at Chandigarh

She reached her hundred with a soaring six over mid-off, completing it in just 77 deliveries, which is now the second-fastest by an Indian woman in ODIs, behind only her own 70-ball effort against Ireland earlier this year. At her fluent best, Mandhana not only set the tempo for India’s innings but also showed why she is considered among the finest batters in the modern game.

This knock was Mandhana’s 12th ODI century, making her the first Indian woman to reach that landmark, let alone as an opener. In doing so, she equalled Suzie Bates and Tammy Beaumont for the world record of most centuries by a women’s ODI opener. What makes the feat more remarkable is the pace, she achieved it in just 106 innings, compared to Bates’ 130 and Beaumont’s 113.