Smriti Mandhana Creates History with Record-Breaking ODI Century Against Australia

Smriti Mandhana etched her name in the record books on Saturday as she smashed the fastest century by an Indian in ODI cricket, surpassing the previous record held by Virat Kohli. Mandhana reached her hundred in just 50 balls during the third ODI against Australia in New Delhi, breaking Kohli's 52-ball ton scored against the same opposition back in 2013.

The milestone moment came in the second delivery of the 18th over, with Mandhana on 95*. She slog-swept spinner Alana King over midwicket for a six to bring up her century in spectacular fashion. Notably, she also broke her own previous record for the fastest century by an Indian in Women's ODIs, which she had set at 70 balls.

With this ton, Mandhana now has 13 centuries as an opener in Women’s ODIs — the joint-most alongside New Zealand's Suzie Bates. Overall, she and Bates are tied for second place on the list of most Women's ODI centuries. Only Australia's Meg Lanning (15) has more. England’s Tammy Beaumont follows with 12.

This innings also marked Mandhana’s second consecutive century in the ongoing series, equalling her own record for most hundreds in back-to-back innings in Women's ODIs — a feat she previously achieved in June 2024. Her century on Saturday was also her fourth against Australia, underlining her consistency against top opposition. She now shares the record for the most ODI centuries in 2025 with South Africa’s Tazmin Brits — both with four.

Mandhana’s blistering knock is also the second-fastest hundred in Women’s ODI history, trailing only Meg Lanning’s 45-ball century against New Zealand in 2012. It was a crucial knock in response to Beth Mooney's 57-ball ton earlier in the match, as Australia posted a mammoth 412 in 47.5 overs.

Mandhana was eventually dismissed for a stunning 125 off 63 balls — an innings studded with 17 fours and five sixes — falling to Grace Harris in the first delivery of the 22nd over. Despite the loss of her wicket, Mandhana’s explosive innings stood out as a historic moment in Indian cricket.