Mandhana Shatters Records with Fastest ODI Century as India Crushes Ireland by 304 Runs

In a stunning display of dominance, Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal led India to a record-breaking victory over Ireland in Rajkot, clinching their biggest win in women’s One-Day Internationals (ODIs) by a margin of 304 runs. This remarkable performance not only saw India post their highest-ever total in ODIs—435 for 5—but also featured Mandhana’s fastest-ever century for India in women’s ODIs, setting the stage for multiple records to be broken.

India Sets New Benchmarks in Women’s ODI History

India’s total of 435 for 5 was a historic achievement, surpassing their previous highest total of 371 for 5, set just a few days before. This massive total marked the first time India had breached the 400-run mark in women’s ODIs, placing them firmly among the top teams in terms of total runs. While New Zealand holds the top three spots for the highest total in women’s ODIs, India’s performance on Wednesday set a new benchmark for the team.

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Mandhana’s Fastest ODI Century and Record-Breaking Performance

Smriti Mandhana’s scintillating 135-run knock was a standout feature of the day. Mandhana completed her century in just 70 balls, making it the fastest century by an Indian batter in women’s ODIs. The previous record was held by Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored a century off 87 balls against South Africa in 2024. Mandhana’s aggressive batting set the tone for India’s monumental total, demonstrating her ability to perform under pressure.

Mandhana’s partnership with Pratika Rawal was equally impressive. The two opened the innings with a dominant 233-run stand, India’s third-highest opening partnership in women’s ODIs. Their scoring rate of 8.73 runs per over was the second-highest for a 200-plus partnership in women’s ODIs, behind New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr and Leigh Kasperek, who achieved an 8.89-run rate in 2018.

India’s Biggest ODI Victory and Other Records

India's victory margin of 304 runs is now the largest in women’s ODI history, surpassing their previous record of a 249-run win against Ireland in 2017. The victory also marked India’s seventh-largest win by runs in the history of women’s ODIs. This stunning performance reinforced India’s growing power in women’s cricket, showing they can dominate on the international stage.

Mandhana’s brilliant innings also featured seven sixes, equaling the most by an Indian batter in a women’s ODI. Harmanpreet Kaur had set this record with her 171* against Australia in 2017. India’s total of nine sixes in the innings marked the most they’ve hit in a women’s ODI, surpassing their previous record of eight sixes against South Africa in Bengaluru earlier this year.

Record Partnerships and Milestones

The partnership between Mandhana and Rawal, which accumulated 459 runs across the series, is the most by any pair in a bilateral series in women’s ODIs. This feat surpassed the 412 runs scored by Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry against the West Indies in 2014. The Mandhana-Rawal pairing also became the 13th instance of both openers scoring centuries in the same ODI innings, with six of these partnerships coming against Ireland.

Rawal’s knock of 154 was also historic, making her one of only three Indian batters to score over 150 runs in a women’s ODI. Deepti Sharma (188) and Harmanpreet Kaur (171*) had set the previous two records. Rawal’s incredible 444 runs in her first six ODI innings now stand as the highest-ever by any player in their first six innings, surpassing Charlotte Edwards’ 434 runs.

India’s Consistent Dominance in Women’s ODIs

India’s 435-run total was part of a series where they aggregated 1046 runs, the second-most by any team in a three-match women’s ODI series. Only New Zealand’s 1349 runs against Ireland in 2018 surpass India’s record. India also became the third team to post consecutive totals of 350+ runs in women’s ODIs, joining New Zealand and England in this exclusive group.

What’s Next for India?

India’s commanding performance in this series highlights the team’s formidable strength and growing dominance in women’s cricket. With record-breaking performances from both Mandhana and Rawal, India has demonstrated their depth in batting and ability to perform under pressure.

As they continue to break records, India’s women’s cricket team is establishing itself as a true force in the sport, and their future in international women’s cricket looks brighter than ever. With the next challenges on the horizon, India’s players will look to carry forward their momentum, aiming for even more milestones and victories in the coming years.

India's victory over Ireland is not just a win on the scoreboard but a clear statement of their growing dominance in women’s international cricket.