India opener Smriti Mandhana broke the world record with a brilliant knock during the first ODI of the series against West Indies in Vadodara. She looked in great form during the match but missed a well-deserved hundred.
After this innings, she completes 1,600 runs in international cricket in 2024. It is a huge achievement for the left-handed opener as she has surpassed South Africa's Laura Wolfhardt, who has scored 1,593 runs this year.
Smriti Mandhana breaks the world record
Mandhana has 1,602 runs to her name this year in international cricket currently which is the most runs in women's international cricket in a calendar year in history. Interestingly, Mandana was already among the top five players on this list with the most hits in 2018 and 2022.
This is the third time she has made the list which shows the consistency with which she bats. Apart from her, Laura Wolfhardt from South Africa and Nat Sciver-Brent from England are also on this list.
With two more overseas matches to be played this year against the same opponent, Mandana is expected to add more runs to her tally. Over the years, it has been very consistent in India's top order.
Before the ongoing series against West Indies, Mandhana also had an excellent series against South Africa where he smashed 343 runs in three ODIs at an average of 114.33 and a strike rate of 103.93. She scored two hundred and fifty-one in the entire series.
Most international matches in a year in women's cricket
- Smriti Mandhana (India) – 1602 runs in 2024
- Laura Wolfhardt (South Africa) – 1,593 runs in 2024
- Nat Shafer-Brent (England) – 1,346 runs in 2022
- Smriti Mandhana (India) – 1291 runs in 2018
- Smriti Mandhana (India) – 1290 runs in 2022
Mandhana has now earned the highest number of international appearances for women in a single year.
3 times in the top 5!
1602 – Mandana🇮🇳 in 2024
1593 – Laura Wolfhardt🇿🇦 in 2024
1346 – Nat Skiver-Brunt🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴 🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴👑👑, In 2022
1291 – Smriti Mandanna🇮🇳 in 2018
1290 – Smriti Mandanna🇮🇳 in 2022#INDvWI pic.twitter.com/QxWDHyk5Ve— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) December 22, 2024
India achieve a big result in Vadodara
Meanwhile, West Indies won the toss and elected to play on a good batting surface in Vadodara. India started cautiously with debutants Pratika Rawal and Mandhana looking to keep wickets.
India were unlucky with some dropped catches from West Indies but Rawal's luck ran out and he was finally dismissed for 40 off 49 balls. Harleen Deol came in third and struck up a good partnership with Mandhana.
Mandhana looked in great touch once she got back up and smashed the bowlers with complete ease all over the ground. She looked good for a century but was dismissed by left-arm spinner Zaida James as she tried to row behind the wicket.
But skipper Harmanpreet Kaur did not let the momentum slow down and smashed a quick 34 off 23 balls. Richa Ghosh and Jemima Rodrigues played a fiery innings up the order to take India to a massive total of 314-9 in 50 overs.
