History was made at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on September 20, 2025, when Smriti Mandhana unleashed an absolute masterclass that left cricket fans worldwide speechless. In a moment that will be replayed countless times, India’s vice-captain smashed the fastest ever ODI century by an Indian cricketer—across both men’s and women’s cricket—reaching three figures in just 50 balls against Australia.
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Breaking Kohli’s Record: A New Chapter in Indian Cricket
Smriti Mandhana’s explosive century didn’t just set a new women’s record; it shattered barriers across the entire spectrum of Indian cricket. Her 50-ball hundred surpassed Virat Kohli’s previously untouchable 52-ball century against Australia in Jaipur, 2013, making her the fastest Indian ever to reach triple figures in ODI cricket.
This wasn’t just about beating a record—it was about redefining what’s possible in pressure situations. With India chasing a mammoth 413 set by Australia, Mandhana chose aggression over caution, brilliance over safety.
Top 5 Fastest ODI Century by Indians:
| Player | Balls Taken | Opposition | Year | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | 50 | Australia | 2025 | Women’s ODI |
| Virat Kohli | 52 | Australia | 2013 | Men’s ODI |
| Virender Sehwag | 60 | New Zealand | 2009 | Men’s ODI |
| Virat Kohli | 61 | Australia | 2013 | Men’s ODI |
| Mohammad Azharuddin | 62 | New Zealand | 1988 | Men’s ODI |
Global Elite: Second-Fastest in Women’s ODI History
Smriti Mandhana’s blazing knock places her in the most exclusive club in women’s cricket. Only Australia’s Meg Lanning, with her legendary 45-ball century against New Zealand in 2012, stands ahead of her in the all-time list. This puts Mandhana among the absolute elite of world cricket—a position she’s earned through years of consistent excellence.
Breaking Down the Brilliance:
- 50-ball century: Fastest by any Indian (men/women)
- 23-ball fifty: Fastest by an Indian woman
- 198.41 strike rate: Second-highest ever for a centurion in women’s ODIs
- 125 off 63 balls: Final score with 17 boundaries and 5 towering sixes
The Perfect Chase: Pressure Makes Diamonds
What made this innings truly special wasn’t just the pace—it was the context. Australia had just posted 412, their highest-ever ODI total, putting India under immense pressure. Instead of crumbling, Mandhana flourished, treating the world’s best bowling attack like club-level opposition.
Her partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur powered India to 206/2 in just 20 overs, giving the hosts a genuine chance of pulling off what would have been cricket’s greatest chase. Though the target proved just out of reach, Mandhana’s knock had already achieved something far more significant—it had announced India’s arrival as a force capable of matching anyone, anywhere.
Back-to-Back Brilliance: The Sign of True Greatness
This wasn’t a flash in the pan. Mandhana’s 50-ball blitz followed her stunning 91-ball 117 in the second ODI just three days earlier, making her only the second player in history to score back-to-back ODI centuries twice in their career. That’s the mark of a player operating at the absolute pinnacle of her powers.
Her 2025 Australia Series Numbers:
- Match 1: 58 off 63 balls
- Match 2: 117 off 91 balls
- Match 3: 125 off 63 balls
- Series Total: 300 runs at strike rate of 138+
Redefining Women’s Cricket: The Mandhana Effect
At just 29, Mandhana has already transformed how the world views women’s cricket. Her aggressive approach, combined with technical excellence, has shown that the women’s game can be every bit as explosive and entertaining as its male counterpart. Her 13 ODI centuries—including four against Australia—have consistently come in high-pressure situations, proving her ability to rise when it matters most.
The Bigger Picture: Leading India’s World Cup Charge
With the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 approaching, Mandhana’s form couldn’t be better timed. As India’s batting lynchpin and the world’s top-ranked ODI batter, her ability to single-handedly change games makes India serious contenders for their maiden World Cup title.
Her consistency has been staggering: she’s now scored four centuries in 2025 alone, the most by any player in a calendar year. This level of sustained excellence, combined with her big-match temperament, makes her the player everyone will be watching when the World Cup begins.
A New Era of Indian Cricket
Mandhana’s record-breaking century represents more than individual brilliance—it symbolizes the evolution of Indian cricket. From being conservative run-chasers to fearless boundary-hunters, the transformation has been complete. Her 50-ball hundred serves as inspiration for the next generation of Indian cricketers, proving that records are meant to be broken and barriers exist only to be shattered.
As cricket fans worldwide continue to process what they witnessed at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, one thing is certain: Smriti Mandhana has not just set a new record—she’s redefined what’s possible when talent meets fearlessness.
Bottom Line: September 20, 2025, will be remembered as the day Smriti Mandhana didn’t just make history—she obliterated it. Her 50-ball century stands as testament to what happens when supreme skill meets unshakeable confidence. By surpassing Virat Kohli’s record, she’s proven that excellence knows no gender boundaries, only the courage to pursue perfection. As India prepares for the World Cup, they know they have a weapon capable of winning matches single-handedly—and that’s exactly what champions are made of.
Follow Smriti Mandhana’s record-breaking journey and other cricket milestones at Techno Sports. Stay updated with Women’s Cricket coverage and explore our analysis of India Women’s team performance.
