At the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, Smriti Mandhana stood up yet again this time with an innings that blended elegance, determination, and sheer brilliance. In a highly anticipated encounter against New Zealand in the Women’s World Cup 2o25, Mandhana delivered a stunner 109 off 95 balls, adorned with 10 fours and 4 sixes, a knock that had the beat of a champion and the assurance of a leader.
Each stroke she hit off was a testament to perfection. From her trademark cover drives to calculated pulls, Mandhana set the pace from the first ball itself, keeping India ahead of the pace in their pursuit of the semi-final spot. Her pressure-defying calmness turned the intensity of a knockout like game into a lesson of calmness.
This innings was not yet another hundred it was another chapter in the making of a modern-day legend. With this achievement, Smriti Mandhana stands at 14 centuries in Women’s ODIs, the second-most by any woman cricketer in history, only one short of former Australian captain Meg Lanning’s 15.
The achievement puts her in really exclusive company, testimony to how far she has travelled from the brilliant teenager who made her debut with flair in her eyes to become India’s batting pillar at the global stage. Besides, this century saw Mandhana complete her third century in Women’s ODI World Cups, which is also the Indian record for the joint-most (3) in the competition, at par with Harmanpreet Kaur.
The feat occurred in a match that will determine India’s path to the semi-finals, a platform where Mandhana has so repeatedly justified herself as India’s match-winner. She was supported by Pratika Rawal standing on the other end. They had a record-breaking partnership of 212 runs from 200 balls filled with timed shorts and proper coordination.
Her achievement also had a great significance. At 17 centuries across all formats of women’s international cricket, Mandhana has now matched Meg Lanning’s total for the record number of hundreds by any women’s international player. It was a recognition of her evolution into a global icon of consistency and class.
What was impressive beyond the scores was her adaptability. While in her early innings she played on timing and placement, the second half saw her open up to aggression, hitting the ropes at will and managing the scoring rate with precision. It was the perfect mix of solidity and strokeplay, something that characterizes Mandhana at her best.
Mandhana’s partnership with Pratika Rawal set the perfect tone in a pressure-laden game, staging India’s charge for an ultimate win that would keep the hopes for the long-awaited World Cup trophy. Although the match still went into its determining moments, Mandana’s century had already turned things around, reminding everyone involved in the game that she is still the pace setter for India’s batting unit.
From teenage sensation to national icon of excellence, Smriti Mandhana’s legacy grows by one century, one milestone, one masterpiece at a time. All eyes will be on the Women in Blue as they continue their journey towards being called the World Champions this time.
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