Smriti Mandhana Breaks 28-Year Record to Become the Leading ODI Run-Maker of the Year
Born on July 18, 1996, in Mumbai, Smriti Shriniwas Mandhana’s rise from a young girl with a dream to one of world cricket’s finest batters is a story of grit, grace, and breaking boundaries. Growing up in a cricket-loving family, she picked up the bat early, inspired by her brother’s practice sessions. Her debut for India in 2013 marked the beginning of an era defined by her fluid cover drives at the crease.Mandhana quickly became the face of Indian women’s cricket, not just for her elegant batting but for her quiet rebellion against stereotypes. From dominating domestic circuits with Maharashtra to leading franchises in the Women’s Premier League, Smriti has embodied the transformation of Indian women’s cricket.Redefining Records, Rewriting HistoriesThe year 2025 etched Smriti Mandhana’s name in cricket’s golden pages. She broke a 28-year-old world record to become the highest run-scorer in women’s One Day Internationals (ODIs) in a single calendar year. She also became the first woman in history to score four ODI centuries in one year, setting a new benchmark for consistency and excellence.Her blistering century against Australia, coming off just 50 balls, became the second-fastest century ever in women’s ODIs and the fastest by any Indian, male or female. Smriti now stands shoulder to shoulder with the greatest openers the game has seen, matching the world record for the most centuries by an opener in women’s ODIs. In a field long dominated by male icons, Smriti has carved her space with quiet brilliance. Beyond the Numbers: The Feminist Pulse in Her StoryWhat makes her story truly feminist is not her defiance but her dedication. She doesn’t demand equality through words; she earns it through excellence. Smriti’s journey inspires young girls who once hesitated to dream. Today, as the world cheers her milestones, Smriti Mandhana stands tall, not merely as a record-breaker, but as a revolution in motion. She symbolizes what happens when a woman is given the bat, the stage, and the belief that she belongs. For India and for every girl watching, Smriti isn’t just rewriting cricket’s history; she’s rewriting its destiny.
