IND vs NZ: Smriti Mandhana Broke Multiple Records With Century. Smriti Mandhana remains the unquestioned queen of Indian women’s cricket. In a must-win match against New Zealand in the Women’s World Cup 2025, the graceful left-handed batter put on another masterclass, blasting a brilliant hundred off just 88 balls. With this century, she reached several historic milestones that enhanced her credentials as one of the greatest batters in the game’s history.
The century, her 14th as a One Day International batter, was also the first hundred from an Indian in this year’s Women’s World Cup. Perhaps more importantly, the knock made her the joint-most century maker in women’s international cricket history with 17 hundreds, tied with Meg Lanning, for all formats. Mandhana’s total of 14 puts her at second all-time in Women’s ODIs behind Lanning, who has 15. Smriti continues to have an impressive tournament by becoming the first batter at this year’s edition of the World Cup to pass 300 runs to take the lead of the tournament in runs scored overall.
A Tournament of Records and Remarkable Consistency
Mandhana’s unwavering performances have been central to India’s campaign, with three fifties in a row against Australia, England, and New Zealand, showcasing her persistently elite ability at the top. Her combination with rising opener Pratika Rawal has also made history, as they became the first Indian pair to register two 150-plus partnerships in one Women’s World Cup. As if that wasn’t enough, she has also changed the record books by hitting the most sixes in a calendar year in Women’s ODIs (29), breaking the previous record of 28 held by South Africa’s Lizelle Lee (2017).
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From stunning cover drives to bold lofted strikes, Smriti Mandhana’s hundred against New Zealand summarised her full arrival as a match-winner. With 17 international hundreds, she finds herself amongst some elite company, and more importantly, she is not just leading India’s challenge in this World Cup but also resetting the standards in women’s cricket.
