Smriti Mandhana has accomplished her fourth One Day International century of 2024 against Australia in WACA. This glorious deed established a new record for the real-time all-time most centuries scored in a calendar year in women’s ODIs, as per Wisden. As the target was set for India for achieving 299, Annabel Sutherland had made 110 off 99 balls, along with Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath making half-centuries. Mandhana was an epitome of performance in what turned out to be another pathetic show by the Indian batting lineup, though she lost her opening partner, Richa Ghosh, early-bowled by Megan Schutt.
After Harleen Deol was sent back for 39 runs in the bag by Alana King, it was Mandhana who was trying to control the innings as wickets fell around her. Harmanpreet Kaur managed only 12 runs off 22 balls before being dismissed, Jemimah Rodrigues made a contribution of 16. The lower order completely collapsed, with three scores falling under single digits: Deepti Sharma, Minnu Mani, and Saima Thakor.
Mandhana registered her half-century with an impressive 50 runs from 50 balls in the 14th over at a time when Indian hopes looked a lot brighter with the run rate heading over five per over with only the one wicket down. She raised the landmark by tucking a delivery from King to short fine leg, reaching the milestone in 103 balls. She was out less than two overs after that for 105 – unleashing a mini-collapse.
This century is Mandhana’s fourth in the year, after two consecutive centuries in June against South Africa and another in October against New Zealand. The achievement of four centuries in one calendar year has set a new milestone in women’s ODIs, surpassing the previous mark of three scored in a year held by seven different players.
Mandhana has brought her tally of centuries up to nine with her latest century, thus improving her position on the all-time century list in women’s ODIs. She is now on joint fourth position along with Nat Sciver-Brunt, Chamari Athapaththu, and Charlotte Edwards. The next destination of Mandhana is Tammy Beaumont, who has 10 ODI centuries to her name.
Mandhana’s form in 2024 is evidence enough that she is one of the best batters in the world, even though India has found the going tough against Australia in the series.