The Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium was electric with excitement as Smriti Mandhana, the captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, smashed the fastest century for India in the 3rd One Day International (ODI) against Ireland, rewriting the record books. Mandhana’s explosive innings not only catapulted India towards a likely series whitewash but also sent fans into a frenzy, celebrating a historic moment in Indian women’s cricket.
A milestone knock by Smriti Mandhana
Mandhana reached her hundred off just 70 deliveries, surpassing Harmanpreet Kaur‘s previous record of 87 balls for the fastest ODI hundred by an Indian woman. Her knock was not just about speed; it was a masterclass in aggressive batting with elegant strokes all around the ground. The innings included 14 boundaries and 3 sixes, showcasing her ability to dominate the opposition from the outset.
Fastest hundreds for India in WODIs (by balls taken):
- 70 – Smriti Mandhana vs Ireland, Rajkot 2025
- 87 – Harmanpreet Kaur vs South Africa, Bengaluru 2024
- 90 – Harmanpreet Kaur vs Australia, Derby 2017
- 90 – Jemimah Rodrigues vs Ireland, Rajkot 2025
- 98 – Harleen Deol vs West Indies, Vadodara 2024
Also READ: ICC ODI Rankings: Jemimah Rodrigues records career-best rating, Sophie Ecclestone stays on top among bowlers
A historic partnership with Pratika Rawal
After Mandhana was dismissed for a splendid 135 in Rajkot, her partnership with Pratika Rawal etched a new chapter in the annals of Indian women’s cricket. Their 233-run partnership for the opening wicket against Ireland now stands as the third-highest partnership for India in Women’s One Day Internationals. This monumental stand surpassed iconic partnerships like the 320-run record by Punam Raut and Deepti Sharma against Ireland in 2017 and the 258-run unbeaten effort by Mithali Raj and Reshma Gandhi back in 1999. This achievement not only highlights the dynamic batting prowess at the top of the Indian order but also signifies a historic moment in the ongoing series, further cementing Mandhana’s legacy in the sport.
Here is how fans reacted:
𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗢𝗗𝗜 💯 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 – it took Smriti Mandhana just 70 balls! ⚡️#AaliRe #INDvIRE pic.twitter.com/CQwKqtiu6d
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) January 15, 2025
SMRITI MANDHANA – FASTEST ODI HUNDRED BY AN INDIAN IN WOMEN’S CRICKET 📢
– The Backbone of Indian batting. pic.twitter.com/KxKgUE8ViY
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 15, 2025
Century for Smriti Mandhana 🔥pic.twitter.com/2nt5t0lNMO
— Vinay (@Koxassassin) January 15, 2025
1⃣3⃣5⃣ runs
8⃣0⃣ deliveries
1⃣2⃣ Fours
7⃣ SixesEnd of a tremendous knock from the #TeamIndia Captain 👏👏
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/xOe6thhPiL#INDvIRE | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @mandhana_smriti pic.twitter.com/Jb7xP81Il5
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) January 15, 2025
Virat Kohli 🤝🏻 Smriti Mandhana.
– Fastest ODI hundred for India in men’s and women’s cricket. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/KFtcN3G3sb
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 15, 2025
THE CLASS & ELEGANCE OF SMRITI MANDHANA.
– The Best in the World. ⭐pic.twitter.com/ZbwdbNJ99K
— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) January 15, 2025
Fastest Century by an Indian Woman in WODIs
[Balls Faced]
𝟳𝟬* : Smriti Mandhana vs 🇮🇪, TODAY**
87 : Harmanpreet Kaur vs 🇿🇦, 2024
90 : Jemimah Rodrigues vs 🇮🇪, 2025
90 : Harmanpreet Kaur vs 🇦🇺, 2017
98 : Harleen Deol vs 🏝, 2024#INDvIRE #INDWvsIREW pic.twitter.com/FPsaRXVYSn— Kishan Kishor (@itskishankishor) January 15, 2025
🚨 THE HISTORIC MOMENT AT RAJKOT 🚨
Smriti Mandhana, first Asian to complete 10 Hundreds in Women’s ODIs.
— Tabrez Alam (@Alam_Tabrez_) January 15, 2025
10th WODI hundred for Smriti Mandhana, vs Ireland at Rakot today in the 3rd WODI👏 and also the FASTEST WODI ton by an Indian Woman batter !!! Fabulous stuff by Smriti👏🇮🇳🏏
— Gaurav Gupta (@toi_gauravG) January 15, 2025
Fastest ODI hundreds by Indian women
70 balls – Smriti Mandhana v IRE, TODAY
87 balls – Harmanpreet Kaur v SA, 2024
90 balls – Harmanpreet Kaur v AUS, 2017
90 balls – Jemimah Rodrigues v IRE, 2025
98 balls – Harleen Deol v WI, 2024 pic.twitter.com/eeHmdysLWo— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) January 15, 2025
Fastest Hundred in Women’s ODI for Each Team :
🇦🇺 – Meg Lanning (45b)
🇳🇿 – Sophie Devine (59b)
🇱🇰 – Chamari Athapaththu (60b)
🏴 – Nat Sciver-Brunt (66b)
🇮🇳 – SMRITI MANDHANA (70b)*
🏝️ – Deandra Dottin (71b)
🇳🇱 – Pauline te Beest (81b)— Krish (@LuciferStan07) January 15, 2025
Also READ: Top 5 highest totals for India in Women’s ODIs
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
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