India Women vs Australia Women: Smriti Mandhana beats Virat Kohli and Virender Sehwag to set all-time Indian record

Smriti Mandhana created history in Delhi on Saturday (September 20) during the third ODI against Australia. The Indian vice-captain smashed her second successive hundred of the series and also broke an Indian record in the process. Mandhana's century came off just 50 balls, setting a new Indian record for the fastest ODI century across men's and women's cricket. Virat Kohli (52) balls held the previous record with Virender Sehwag (60 balls) holding it before him. Madhana ended with a 63-ball 125, belting 17 fours and five sixes during her record-breaking effort.

Mandhana's blitzkrieg hundred has given India a solid start in a mammoth run chase of 413 after Australia piled on their highest-ever ODI total in the series decider. Beth Mooney's 75-ball 138 was the cornerstone of the Aussie innings while Georgia Voll (81 off 68) and Ellyse Perry (68 off 72) were the other notable contributors as India's bowlers got a pasting on a flat batting surface. Australia were 378/5 in the 45th over and looked set to get well over 430 at that point but a collapse ensued, limiting them to 412, which still is a monstrous total to chase.

With such a gargantuan target, there was only way India could have approached the chase and Mandhana took it on herself to fuel the innings. The southpaw began with a lovely back foot punch through cover in the second over of the innings but it was the next over bowled by Megan Schutt that really good Mandhana ticking. The left-hander struck three fours in the over and injected momentum into the innings. Ashleigh Gardner's off-spin has traditionally been Mandhana's weakness but here, she took the Aussie on, striking the first two balls of her spell for a six and four to stun the all-rounder. There was no stopping Mandhana as she tore into Kim Garth and repeatedly hoisted Gardner to the fence as well.

Mandhana's fifty came off just 23 balls, showcasing her ability to hit top gear from the outset and her assault put relentless pressure on the Aussies, even as the other Indian batters played second fiddle to the southpaw. Mandhana's successive ODI tons are only the second instance of an Indian batter achieving this feat with the previous instance also being from her blade. After taking down the Aussie bowlers at will, Mandhana's dismissal came against the run of play, miscuing a half-tracker against Grace Harris to be caught at deep square leg. It was a wicket Australia desperately needed, as Mandhana looked flawless and unstoppable.