India Women’s vice-captain and opener Smriti Mandhana recorded her ninth WODI century and 11th international century on Wednesday during the chase of a 299-run target against the hosts Australia Women. It was her fourth WODI century in this calendar year. 

Already trailing the away three-match WODI series by 2-0, India Women captain Harmanpreet Kaur chose to field first after winning the toss at WACA, Perth. Strong middle-order batting helped Australia Women to score 298/6. While Annabel Sutherland was run out after scoring 110 off 95 balls (nine fours and four sixes), Ashleigh Gardner (50) and captain Tahila McGrath (56*) scored crucial 50s. 

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Smriti Mandhana hit her fourth WODI century in 2024

In reply, only the opener and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana provided a strong fightback with her memorable century. She only got some support when the no.3 batter Harleen Deol scored 39 off 64 balls (four fours), as Mandhana and Deol had a 118-run partnership for the second wicket. After completing her century in 103 balls, Mandhana scored 105 off 109 balls with the help of 14 fours and one six. It was Mandhana's fourth WODI century in 2024, who scored two WODI hundreds in June against South Africa Women in Bengaluru, she also hit another WODI century against New Zealand Women in Ahmedabad last October. 

India lost by 83 runs

Once Mandhana was dismissed, the Indian batters failed to challenge the Aussies, as the visitors were bowled out for 215 runs, losing the last seven wickets only for 26 runs. After her brilliant half-century, Ashleigh Gardner claimed a five-wicket haul (5/30). 

Here are some key stats and records of Smriti Mandhana's latest WODI century knock. 

• It was Smriti Mandhana's fourth WODI century in 2024. She became the first batter to hit more than three WODI centuries in a calendar year. 

 

• It was Mandhana’s ninth WODI century, which was the highest by any Indian batter in WODI history, as the second most was seven by Mithali Raj. Meanwhile, Mandhana is in joint fourth place for most centuries in WODI history.
  

 

• With her nine WODI centuries as an opener, Mandhana moved to the joint third place in the list of most WODI centuries by an opener. 
  

 

• It was Mandhana’s fourth WODI century in the chasing. It equaled the third-most record for most WODI hundreds in the chasing or second innings.
  

 

• Meanwhile, with her fourth century as an opener in the WODI chasing, Mandhana equaled the record for most centuries as an opener in the WODI chasing as the Sri Lankan opener Chamari Athapaththu solely held the record with four centuries. 
  

 

• By scoring her latest WODI century in just 103 balls, Mandhana recorded her joint second-fastest WODI century. Her record is a 101-ball WODI century against New Zealand Women at Napier in 2019.
  

 

• It was the second WODI century for Mandhana in Australia. After the New Zealand star Suzie Bates, Mandhana became the second non-Australian to hit multiple WODI centuries in Australia as both have hit two WODI centuries each.
  

 

• Mandhana previously hit a WODI century in Australia during the 2016 Hobart WODI against Australia Women when Mandhana scored 102 off 109 balls. With her latest WODI century, Mandhana became the first batter to record two WODI centuries against Australia Women in Australia. 
  

 

• While Mandhana scored her second WODI century against Australia Women, she became the third opener in WODI history to record multiple centuries against Australia Women. The other two opening names are New Zealand star Suzie Bates (3) and English star Sarah Taylor (2).