Smriti Mandhana Smashes Another Century, Equals Meg Lanning’s Record
<p>Indian cricket star Smriti Mandhana continues to redefine excellence on the world stage. The left-handed opener added another glittering chapter to her career with a breathtaking century against New Zealand in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, held at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.</p><p>Her 17th international hundred saw her equal the legendary Australian batter Meg Lanning’s record for the most centuries in women’s international cricket. Mandhana also matched South Africa’s Tazmin Brits for the most one-day international (ODI) centuries in a single calendar year — a testament to her consistency and dominance.</p><h3>Record After Record</h3><p>Mandhana’s latest ton lifted her tally to 17 international centuries — comprising 14 in ODIs, two in Tests, and one in T20Is. Lanning, the former Australian captain, has 15 ODI and two T20I hundreds to her name.</p><p>The Indian vice-captain has been in imperious form throughout the 2025 World Cup, scoring 331 runs in six innings at an average of 55.16 and a strike rate exceeding 100. This includes one century and two half-centuries — numbers that highlight her impact at the top of the order.</p><p>With five centuries in 2025 alone, Mandhana has equalled Tazmin Brits’ record for the most centuries by a woman cricketer in a calendar year. Notably, she had registered four centuries in 2024, showing a year-on-year improvement that places her among the world’s most consistent batters.</p><p>Her aggressive yet elegant style has also rewritten the record books in terms of power-hitting. By clearing the boundary 29 times this year, Mandhana set a new world record for the most sixes in a women’s ODI calendar year, surpassing Lizelle Lee’s 2017 mark of 28.</p><h3>Leading from the Front</h3><p>In the all-time ODI centuries list, Meg Lanning remains at the top with 15, followed closely by Mandhana with 14, New Zealand’s Suzie Bates with 13, England’s Tammy Beaumont with 12, and Nat Sciver-Brunt with 10.</p><p>Mandhana has also become the second Indian woman — after Harmanpreet Kaur’s remarkable 2017 run — to record three consecutive 50-plus scores in ODI World Cup matches. Her ability to anchor innings and accelerate when required has made her India’s most dependable performer in major tournaments.</p><h3>Partnership Power with Pratika Rawal</h3><p>One of the defining moments of the match was Mandhana’s record-breaking opening partnership with 25-year-old Pratika Rawal. The duo stitched together a monumental 212-run stand, India’s highest-ever partnership in Women’s World Cup history. The partnership surpassed Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur’s 184-run stand against West Indies in 2022 and marked just the third instance in Women’s World Cup history where both openers scored centuries in the same innings.</p><p>The Mandhana–Rawal pair has been sensational since joining forces at the top of the order. They now boast seven century opening partnerships in just 23 innings — a record that puts them on par with elite pairs such as Australia’s Alyssa Healy–Rachael Haynes and South Africa’s Tazmin Brits–Laura Wolvaardt combination.</p><p>Their chemistry and aggressive approach have given India solid starts in almost every game of the tournament, laying the foundation for big totals and confident chases.</p><h3>Rawal’s Rise and India’s Momentum</h3><p>Rawal’s individual rise has been equally remarkable. She reached 1,000 ODI runs in just 23 innings, making her the joint-fastest player to achieve the milestone in women’s cricket history. With 1,123 runs at an average of 50.45 — including two centuries and seven fifties — she has established herself as one of India’s brightest young talents.</p><p>In the ongoing World Cup, Rawal has already amassed 308 runs in six innings at an average of 51.33, making her the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament behind Mandhana. Together, the two have provided India with stability, aggression, and record-breaking consistency at the top.</p><h3>India’s Strong Position in the Tournament</h3><p>With Mandhana and Rawal firing in unison, India has emerged as one of the tournament favorites. Their performances have not only lifted the team’s morale but also rekindled the belief that India can finally end its long wait for a Women’s World Cup title.</p><p>Mandhana’s latest milestone cements her legacy as one of the greatest batters of her generation — a leader by example and a symbol of India’s growing dominance in women’s cricket.</p>