Smriti Mandhana reaches 12th ODI century from 77 balls, occupies 3rd spot on list of most centuries

India’s star opener Smriti Mandhana scored her 12th ODI century during the second ODI clash of the series against Alyssa Healy’s Australia on September 17 at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. Mandhana took the third spot on the list of most ODI centuries alongside England's Tammy Beaumont.

Mandhana reached her century from just 77 deliveries on the first ball of the 29th over after Healy won the toss and opted to bowl first. This is the second-fastest century for India in ODIs. The top spot belongs to her as well. Earlier this year, she reached her century from 70 balls against Ireland. 

On the list of batters with most centuries in women's ODIs, she is only behind New Zealand's Suzie Bates (13) and former Australia captain Meg Lanning (15).

She equalled the world record for most ODI centuries as opener. Beaumont and Bates have scored 12 ODI centuries as opener as well.

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Mandhana, Rawal break records

Mandhana was attacking from the start, hitting Ashleigh Gardner for a six in the second over. Along with her opening partner Pratika Rawal, Mandhana created history as they became the first pair to amass 1,000-plus runs in partnerships for any wicket in a calendar year in ODIs. 

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The opening partnership was broken by Gardner in the 12th over as she got the wicket of Rawal. The young opener scored 25 runs from 32 balls. They also broke the record for most partnership runs by an Indian opening pair in ODIs. 

Mandhana reached her fifty with a six off Georgia Wareham from 45 balls in the 16th over. She got a reprieve in Wareham's next over as Darcie Brown dropped the catch near the boundary. Harleen Deol and captain Harmanpreet Kaur's wickets did not affect her tempo as she continued to march on and reached her century from 77 balls.

In the 33rd over, McGrath ended Mandhana's stay at the crease. She was caught at deep mid-wicket by Gardner. The southpaw scored 117 runs from 91 balls, featuring 14 fours and four sixes. When she departed, India were 192/4 from 32.2 overs.