India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana etched her name in the history books by breaking Virat Kohli’s record for the fastest century by an Indian in One-Day Internationals. Smriti smashed the breathtaking century in just 50 balls during the third Women’s ODI between India and Australia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday.
Chasing a big total of 413 runs, India vice-captain Mandhana showcased her trademark flair and aggression at the top of the order and reached the three-figure mark emphatically – getting down on one knee and slog-sweeping it over deep midwicket for six off leg-spinner Alana King.
The moment was met with a huge roar and applause from the sizeable Delhi crowd as Smriti raised her bat and helmet in celebration, with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur clapping behind her, as she also raised her fourth ODI hundred against Australia.
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Fastest Century For An Indian In ODIs
50 balls – Smriti Mandhana vs AUS, Delhi, 2025
52 balls – Virat Kohli vs AUS, Jaipur, 2013
60 balls – Virender Sehwag vs NZ, Hamilton, 2009
61 balls – Virat Kohli vs AUS, Nagpur, 2013
62 balls – KL Rahul vs NED, Bengaluru, 2023
Smriti’s explosive knock not only broke Virat Kohli’s long-standing record of 52 balls (against Australia in Nagpur, 2013) but also marked the second-fastest century in women’s ODI history, behind only Meg Lanning’s 45-ball ton at the North Sydney Oval in 2012.
The 29-year-old Mandhana is now equal with New Zealand’s Suzie Bates for the second-most ODI centuries (13) and is only behind Meg’s 15 tons. It’s also the second time Smriti has scored centuries in consecutive ODI innings, after last doing so in June 2024. She is only the second player, after England’s Tammy Beaumont, to score consecutive hundreds in women’s ODIs twice.
Smriti Mandhana’s Historic Century Goes In Vain As Australia Beat India By 43 Runs
Smriti Mandhana smashed a blistering 125 off 63 balls and was supported by fine half-centuries by Deepti Sharma (72) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (52). But the trio’s efforts weren’t enough to carry India over the line as Australia secured a 43-run win in the third ODI at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday to seal the series 2–1.
Australia’s total of 412 in 47.5 overs, powered by Beth Mooney’s 138, had earlier set India the challenge to ace an extremely uphill chase.
Chasing a mammoth 413, India showed great spirit and optimistic attitude, led by vice-captain Smriti, reaching her century in just 50 balls – the fastest hundred by an Indian in women’s ODIs.
Her unforgettable blazing knock, laced with 17 fours and five sixes, kept India in the hunt of doing the improbable. But wickets falling at regular intervals eventually proved to be decisive, as Australia’s bowlers held their nerve to bowl out India for 369 in 47 overs.