Indian captain Smriti Mandhana broke the record for fastest hundred by an Indian in women’s ODIs on Wednesday in the third ODI against Ireland in Rajkot.
The first batsman reached three figures in just 70 balls, surpassing the previous record of 87 balls held by regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
Mandhana, who recently completed 4,000 ODI runs, reached his ninth century in the format and was dismissed for 135 off just 80 balls. The Indian captain’s innings included seven sixes and 12 boundaries.
In the men’s category, Virat Kohli currently holds the fastest ton by an Indian. The former Indian captain reached a hundred in just 52 balls against Australia in Jaipur in 2013.
In the process, Mandhana and Pratik Rawal also set a new milestone for most 100+ partnerships in a single season. The introduction of Rawal at the top of the order in place of Shafali Verma opened up new possibilities for India ahead of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup at home.
Rawal and Mandhana in rarefied space
Rawal, who made his debut in last month’s ODI series against the West Indies, started with a measurement of 40 that contributed to a 110-run opening partnership with Mandhana. In the second ODI against the Windies, the pair put on another 110 runs for the first wicket with Mandhana scoring 53 and Rawal scoring 76.
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The pair showcased their excellent scoring touch once again in the ongoing three-match ODI series against Ireland with an opening stand of 156 runs in the second ODI in just 18 overs. With that, the pair equaled the opening three 100-plus stands of Australian opening pair Belinda Clarke and Lisa Keightley in 2000.
On Wednesday, Mandhana and Rawal went one better with an opening partnership of 233 in the ongoing third ODI match against Ireland in Rajkot.
Chasing another rare record
Now, Rawal and Mandhana are in a rare group of openers who have four 100-plus partnerships in a single season. Rachel Haynes and Alyssa Healy of Australia in the 2021-22 season and Anju Jain and Jaya Sharma of India in 2003-04 are the couples who have achieved this feat previously.
The pair will now chase another rare feat of three 150-over starting stands shared by Haynes and Healy achieved between 2019 and 2022. Australian couple Belinda Clark and Lisa Keightley have the most with four 150-over starting stands achieved between 1997 and 2000.
Rawal, who has three fifties in his first five ODIs, also reached ODI hundred for the first time in the ongoing third ODI against Ireland.
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