Smriti Mandhana creates world record, becomes first and fastest to achieve 2 historic feats
Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana has become the first-ever player in the history of women’s cricket to score more than 1,000 ODI runs in a single calendar year. She surpassed former Australian legend Belinda Clark for the record for most races in a single calendar year.
The year 2025 will go down as one of the most memorable years for Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana. She had an exceptional record for the Indian women as they took on Australia in their fourth match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vishakhapatnam.
Smriti Mandhana is the first woman cricketer to reach 1000 runs in a calendar year.
The Indian opening batter had a stellar year with the bat and also broke several records. The 29-year-old women’s cricketer became the first-ever player in the history of women’s cricket to score 1,000 runs in a single calendar year.
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She reached a special milestone when she crossed the 18-run mark in the eighth over of the bowling of left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux. She reached this milestone by dancing on the floor and crushing the spinner for a huge six-verse long-on.
The Indian vice-captain now holds the record for most runs scored in a single calendar year, surpassing former Australian great Belinda Clark’s tally of 970 runs in 1997. Until now, she had not scored many runs in the 2025 World Cup.
Smriti Mandhana’s records in women’s cricket
The left-handed batter is currently the fifth highest run-scorer in the history of women’s cricket. She is behind legendary cricketers like Mithali Raj, Charlotte Edwards, Suzie Bates and Stafanie Taylor.
She currently also has the most centuries in women’s ODIs alongside New Zealand opener Suzie Bates. It is also worth mentioning that Mandhana scored a spectacular ton the last time India played against Australia.
It was the fastest century made by a female cricketer, as well as the fastest century recorded by an Indian off just 50 balls, breaking the previous record held by Virat Kohli. Currently, Mandhana is competing in her third World Cup, having been part of India’s most successful World Cup campaign in 2017, where she finished second in the competition.
Indian openers join in 100-run opening stand against unbeaten Australia
Indian openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal form an invincible pair in the ODI format. Rawal’s inclusion cut short Indian opener Shafali Verma’s hopes as the batter stunned all with a splendid innings.
In a must-win match against the Australians, the Indian openers gave them a good start with a top-notch century partnership. Smriti Mandhana reached her maiden World Cup half-century this year against the undefeated Australian team.
Smriti Mandhana also became the youngest and fastest woman to reach 5,000 ODI runs and she surpassed the record held by West Indies star Stafanie Taylor. She seems to have continued her form where she left off in the last match of the bilateral series against the Australians.
Fastest to 5000 WODI races (heats):
112* – Mandhana
129 – Taylor
136 – Suzie Bates
144 – Mithali Raj
156 – Charlotte Edwards
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