India Women’s cricket star Smriti Mandhana delivered a breathtaking performance in the third ODI against Australia at the iconic WACA Stadium in Perth.
Tasked with chasing a formidable target of 299 runs, Mandhana showcased her exceptional skill and determination, leading India’s batting effort with a blend of grace and aggression.
India suffered an early setback when Richa Ghosh, Mandhana’s opening partner, departed cheaply. Undeterred, Mandhana took charge, building a steady and vital 118-run partnership with Harleen Deol, who contributed 39 runs.
Mandhana’s innings was a showcase of technical excellence, featuring an array of sublime strokes that kept the Australian bowlers on their toes. Her ability to find gaps and rotate the strike ensured India remained competitive in the chase.
The highlight of her innings came in the 35th over when she brought up her ninth ODI century in style, effortlessly glancing a delivery from Alana King down the leg side.
The moment was historic, as Mandhana not only became India’s leading century-maker in women’s ODIs, surpassing Mithali Raj’s record of seven tons, but also etched her name in the history books as the first woman cricketer to score four ODI centuries in a calendar year.
Her celebration was jubilant, removing her helmet to soak in the applause for her remarkable achievement.
Mandhana’s knock of 105 runs came off 109 balls, featuring 14 exquisite fours and a towering six. She batted with a strike rate of 97, playing a lone warrior’s role as wickets fell around her.
Unfortunately, her innings ended shortly after reaching her century when Ashleigh Gardner produced a brilliant delivery that jagged back off the pitch, beating her defense and crashing into the stumps.
With Mandhana’s dismissal, India’s chase unraveled. The team lost wickets in clusters, unable to recover from the loss of their set batter.
Eventually, they fell short by 83 runs, handing Australia a convincing victory. Despite the defeat, Mandhana’s knock remained a shining example of grit and class, underlining her status as one of the finest batters in women’s cricket. Her heroics will undoubtedly inspire her teammates as they look to bounce back in the series.