RAJKOT, Jan 15: Captain Smriti Mandhana achieved a remarkable milestone by scoring the fastest One-Day International century by an Indian woman, reaching the ton in just 70 balls during the third ODI against Ireland on Wednesday.
Stepping up in the absence of regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur, the explosive opener dazzled the crowd with a breathtaking 135-run innings, including 12 fours and seven sixes, before being caught by Orla Prendergast at short fine leg.
This achievement surpasses the previous record held by Kaur, who scored her century in 87 balls against South Africa in Bengaluru last year.
Mandhana’s hundred ties her with former England star Charlotte Edwards for the joint-seventh fastest in ODI history, achieved in 2012.
With this being her 10th ODI century, Mandhana now shares third place on the all-time list of most centuries in women’s ODIs, alongside England’s Tammy Beaumont. The record is still topped by former Australia captain Meg Lanning with 15 centuries, followed by New Zealand’s Suzie Bates with 13. (Agencies)
