Smriti Mandhana breaks a major batting record during India’s clash against South Africa in the ongoing Women’s ODI World Cup.
Smriti Mandhana Breaks 27-Year-Old ODI Record
Indian women’s cricket’s poster girl and star batter, Smriti Mandhana, has rewritten the ODI record book. In the ongoing game against South Africa at Visakhapatnam, Mandhana surpassed Belinda Clark’s 1997 benchmark of 970 runs in a calendar year — one of the longest-standing major batting records in women’s one-day cricket. She brought up the record in style with a straight six off Ayabonga Khaka in the eighth over of the innings.
The milestone arrived on a rain-delayed World Cup afternoon, fittingly in a high-pressure clash against South Africa. Although the southpaw fell after scoring 23 runs, she had already laid a solid foundation alongside opening partner Pratika Rawal. Before the match, Mandhana stood on 959 runs in 2025, and by the end of her innings, she had moved past Clark’s historic total, marking another glorious chapter in her illustrious career.
28-year record taken down
Australian legend Belinda Clark’s 970 runs in 1997 stood as an unbroken record for nearly three decades. Her tally included the first-ever double hundred in ODI cricket (229*), a knock that powered Australia to World Cup glory and became a landmark in the sport’s history.
In 2025, Smriti Mandhana has come remarkably close to eclipsing that feat. With 982 runs in 17 innings, the Indian opener has found a golden touch, though she is yet to fully translate that form into the ongoing World Cup. Her consistency and composure at the crease reflect a batter in complete control, aiming to guide India to their long-awaited world title.
| Rank | Player | Runs | Year | Inns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smriti Mandhana (IND) | 982 | 2025 | 17 |
| 2 | Belinda Clark (AUS) | 970 | 1997 | 14 |
| 3 | Laura Wolvaardt (SA) | 882 | 2022 | 18 |
The defining moment came when Mandhana confidently stepped down the track and lofted a delivery over long-off for a six—a stroke that captured her assurance and dominance this season.
As for the ongoing match, India entered Visakhapatnam after back-to-back wins against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, positioned third in the points table. A victory here would propel them to the top. After losing the toss and being asked to bat, openers Pratika Rawal and Mandhana gave India a solid start with a 55-run stand. However, the middle-order faltered, collapsing from 83/1 to 92/4. At the time of writing, Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma are at the crease, working to steady India’s innings.
