New record set by Smriti Mandhana achieves new mark for most ODI runs in a calendar year
New record set by Smriti Mandhana achieves new mark for most ODI runs in a calendar year
Digital Desk: Smriti Mandhana, India's vice captain, has broken a 28-year-old record in women's cricket by hitting the most runs in a calendar year in One-Day Internationals (ODI).
Smriti being a left-hander achieved the feat during India's third encounter against South Africa in the ICC Women's World Cup, scoring 23 runs to bring her total to 982 runs in 17 matches at an average of 57.76. She surpassed former Australian captain Belinda Clark's long-standing record of 970 runs from 16 matches, set in 1997.
Mandhana achieved the historic milestone with a magnificent six off the first ball of the eighth over in the third match against South Africa. Her record for the year includes four centuries and three fifties, with a remarkable strike rate of 112.22.
Mandhana owns the record for the fastest century by an Indian in 50-over cricket, scoring it in just 50 balls against Australia earlier this year. She has now scored 13 ODI centuries, matching New Zealand's Suzie Bates and closing in on Australia's Meg Lanning, who has 15.
Mandhana is also the only Indian woman to achieve back-to-back ODI centuries twice in her career, with her latest 117 against Australia playing a key role in India's 102-run win.
As India continues its World Cup adventure, Mandhana's consistency and match-winning abilities cement her place as one of the world's best hitters and a key role in India's worldwide climb.
