India’s star batter Smriti Mandhana continued her remarkable run of form by notching her fourth consecutive fifty in international cricket, a stunning 91 off 102 balls against the West Indies in the first ODI of the 4-match series, while also surpassing Laura Wolvaardt tally of 1593 runs for the most international runs in a single year (2024).
Mandhana, who was adjudged the Player of the Series in the recently concluded T20I series against the West Indies, carried her stellar form into the ODIs. In the T20Is, she aggregated 193 runs across three matches, including three consecutive fifties. Building on this momentum, Mandhana’s 91 in the ODI opener further established her as one of the most reliable batters at the top of India’s order.
India was put into bat first in the opening ODI and Mandhana walked out alongside debutant Pratika Rawat. While Rawat took her time settling in, Mandhana immediately set the tone, finding gaps with precision and taking charge of the innings. The pair forged a 110-run opening stand, with Rawat contributing 41 before her dismissal. Mandhana brought up her fifty off just 61 balls, showcasing her fluent stroke play, which included seven boundaries.
Mandhana’s knock was punctuated by another significant partnership, a 50-run stand with Harleen Deol, further solidifying India’s position. Unfortunately, she fell nine runs short of a well-deserved century, dismissed leg-before by Zaida James. Her innings featured 13 boundaries and was instrumental in India’s total of 314—their second-highest team total in ODIs at home.
This latest performance is part of what has been a golden year for the left-handed batter. With over 1,600 runs across formats in 2024, Mandhana has demonstrated unparalleled consistency and versatility. Her exploits include four ODI centuries and a century in Tests, as well as crossing the 8,000-run mark in international cricket recently.
The elegant batter recently surpassed over 760 runs in T20I cricket this year, being India’s top run-scorer in the format, including eight fifties. She now tops the chart in ODI format as well with 690 runs in 11 matches, including two fifties and a record four centuries. In her only innings in the one-off Test against South Africa, she scored 149 earlier this year. Her current form promises more milestones in the games to come.
Most International Runs in a Single Calendar Year:
1602 – Smriti Mandhana (2024)
1593 – Laura Wolvaardt (2024)
1346 – Nat Sciver-Brunt (2022)
1291 – Smriti Mandhana (2018)
1290 – Smriti Mandhana (2022)
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