Indian cricket star Smriti Mandhana has created history by scoring the fastest century ever by an Indian in ODI cricket. On 20 September 2025, during the 3rd ODI against Australia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi, Mandhana reached her hundred in just 50 balls, breaking Virat Kohli’s long-standing record of a 52-ball century against Australia in 2013. This makes her the fastest Indian across both men’s and women’s cricket to score an ODI hundred, further cementing her place as one of India’s greatest batting icons.
The Record-Breaking Knock
- Mandhana smashed 17 boundaries and 5 sixes en route to her blistering 125 runs off 65 balls.
- She completed her century with a towering six over midwicket, sending the Delhi crowd into raptures.
- Her effort came while India was chasing a record target of 413 runs, after Australia posted their joint-highest ODI total of 412/7.
- Despite her heroics, India faltered after quick wickets, including Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who shared a 121-run partnership for the third wicket.
Women’s ODI Fastest Hundreds (By Balls Faced)
- 45 balls – Meg Lanning vs New Zealand, 2012 (North Sydney Oval)
- 50 balls – Smriti Mandhana vs Australia, 2025 (Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi)
- 57 balls – Karen Rolton vs South Africa, 2000 (Lincoln)
- 57 balls – Beth Mooney vs India, 2025 (New Delhi)
- 59 balls – Sophie Devine vs Ireland, 2018 (Dublin)
- 60 balls – Chamari Athapaththu vs New Zealand, 2023 (Galle)
Mandhana’s century is now the second-fastest in women’s ODI history, only behind Meg Lanning’s 45-ball hundred against New Zealand.
Breaking Virat Kohli’s Record
- Mandhana surpassed Virat Kohli’s 52-ball century scored against Australia at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur in 2013. Kohli had held this record for over a decade, making Mandhana’s achievement even more historic.
- She had already been the record-holder for the fastest women’s ODI hundred for India with her 70-ball ton vs Ireland in Rajkot, but this time she bettered her own record by an emphatic 20-ball margin.
Match Context: IND vs AUS, 3rd ODI 2025
- Australia’s innings: Beth Mooney blasted 138 off 75 balls, powering Australia to 412/7.
- India’s chase: Mandhana led the charge with her explosive 125, supported by Harmanpreet Kaur.
- Bowling highlight for India: Deepti Sharma was the most economical, returning 10-0-68-1.
- Series context: The series was tied 1-1 going into this decider and India Lost the Series.
Key Takeaways
- Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 Host: India (starting 30 September 2025).
- Smriti Mandhana: Left-handed opener, ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2018, 2021).
- Fastest ODI century ever (global record): 31 balls – AB de Villiers vs West Indies, 2015.
- Previous Record: Virat Kohli – 52 balls vs Australia, 2013 (Jaipur)
- Second Fastest Women’s ODI Century Overall (after Meg Lanning, 45 balls)