Indian opener Smriti Mandhana regained form with a century against New Zealand in the series decider at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on October 29. Mandhana broke former Indian captain Mithali Raj's record for most ODI centuries. This was eighth ODI century of Mandhana’s career.
Among current Indian players, Harmanpreet is the closest to Mandhana’s tally of ODI centuries. The middle-order batter has six ODI centuries to her name.
Mandhana is the only Indian batter in women's ODIs to score three centuries in run chases. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, Mithali and former batter Jaya Sharma have scored one each in ODI run chases.
Indian team’s vice-captain is tied at number four with New Zealand's Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine on the list of most centuries in ODI run chases. The top spot belongs to former New Zealand captain Meg Lanning (10 hundreds) followed by former White Ferns batter Amy Satterthwaite (5 hundreds) and Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu (4 hundreds).
This is Mandhana's third ODI century of the year 2024. Before a lacklustre run in ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, she scored two centuries and 90 runs in the three-ODI series against South Africa at home.
Mandhana plays anchor role in run chase
Earlier in the series, she scored five runs in first ODI and a duck in the second. In the third ODI, India needed 233 runs in the run chase. The opener was not destructive in the powerplay overs. She reached her half-century from 73 balls in the 25th over. She accelerated with Harmanpreet scoring at almost run-a-ball on the other end. In the 40th over, she reached her century from 121 balls.
The 28-year-old lost her wicket to Hannah Rowe in the next over. She played across the line and got bowled. Her innings of 100 from 122 balls was laced with 10 fours. Skipper Harmanpreet remained unbeaten on 59 and helped India beat New Zealand by six wickets with 34 balls to spare and clinch the series 2-1.
Opener lays bare her emotions
Smriti opened up on tough times the team has recently faced and how she controlled her urge to attack early on in the innings.
“Really pleased to get the series win. As I said in the first game, it has been a tough 1 and a half months for this team. The first two games didn’t go my way so really happy I could get a score today. It was more about controlling my shots, you don’t bat the same way everyday. You’re in the best frame some days and you’re not other days,” she said in the post-match presentation.
“Had to be little hard on myself early on and wait for the first 10 overs to go before taking the game on. For me what works is the harder way. Need to do it for the team first. Getting out early means I’ve let the team down and that thought doesn’t let me sleep well. As a cricketer you are going to get highs and lows, you need to keep the routine the same,” the left-handed batter added.
