Smriti Mandhana scored her first century in this World Cup.Image Credit source: PTI
IND-W vs NZ-W: Team India’s star batsman Smriti Mandhana scored a brilliant century. In the match against New Zealand in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, Mandhana completed her explosive century in just 88 balls. With this, Mandhana scored a century for the first time in the current World Cup. In this match held in Navi Mumbai, Team India batted first and Mandhana once again gave a strong start with her explosive batting. Mandhana crossed the 50 mark for the third consecutive match but this time the Indian vice-captain died after converting it into a century.
Mandhana did not have a good start in the Women’s World Cup 2025 and she could not touch the 30 mark even once in the first 3 innings. But after that the star opener returned to her form and started raining runs. After playing two consecutive half-centuries against Australia and England, Mandhana gave a strong start to Team India by playing a strong innings against New Zealand also.
Century in World Cup for the third time, Mandhana at second place
Although, Smriti Mandhana could not complete centuries against Australia (80) and England (88), but she did not waste this opportunity against New Zealand. The Indian star batted stormily and completed his century in just 88 balls. Mandhana scored her first century in this World Cup and 14th century of her career by taking 1 run in the 31st over. This is Mandhana’s third century in the history of Women’s World Cup. Earlier, he had also scored one century each in the 2017 and 2022 World Cups. With this he equaled the record of most centuries for India in the World Cup.
Not only this, Mandhana has single-handedly achieved second place in terms of most centuries in the history of women’s ODI cricket. Mandhana now has 14 centuries and ahead of her is only former Australian legend Meg Lanning (15), who has now retired. Incidentally, earlier Mandhana and New Zealand’s Suzy Bates were jointly at second position with 13 centuries each. As soon as Mandhana left him behind, Bates ended her innings. Mandhana played an excellent inning of 109 runs in 95 balls, which included 10 fours and 4 sixes.
History created with Pratika
Mandhana along with Pratika gave a great start to Team India by making a strong partnership of 212 runs for the first wicket. After Mandhana, Pratika also scored her century in World Cup history. Pratika Rawal played an innings of 122 runs in 134 balls. With this, for the first time in the history of the Women’s World Cup, an Indian opening pair did the historic feat of scoring a century in a single match.