Smriti Mandhana becomes first woman on planet to achieve this monumental feat

India Women batter Smriti Mandhana scripted history after her heroics in the ongoing second ODI against South Africa Women. The match between the two teams is taking place at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday (19th June).

Smriti Mandhana becomes the first-ever batter from the India Women's National Cricket Team to hit two back-to-back centuries in the ODIs. The opening batter has looked in terrific form in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa Women.

Smriti Mandhana kickstarted the series on high as she slammed a magnificent ton in the first ODI between the teams at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. She bailed the team out of trouble and played one of the finest innings in her career to help India post a big total on the board.

With the team reeling at 99/5, Smriti Mandhana held the fort for her team and slammed a magical ton, ending with the innings of 117 runs as India posted a total of 265 runs on the board at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru and winning the game by a big margin.

However, Smriti Mandhana didn't stop there as she made sure that she continued her fine form and slam another century. The opening batter slammed 136 runs off 120 balls. She batted with a strike rate of over 113 and also hit 18 fours and 2 sixes in her innings, helping the team go past 300 runs on the board.

Smriti Mandhana looked in fine touch right from the start and played some crisp shots in her innings. The opening batter made South Africa Women's bowlers look clueless and made many at M Chinnaswamy Stadium go gaga about her batting. She also became the first batter from Asia to hit two back-to-back tons in ODIs.

With two back-to-back tons in the ongoing game against South Africa Women, Smriti Mandhana also equaled the massive record of Mithali Raj in the ODIs. The two batters now have the most ODI centuries among Indian women with her seven tons under their belt.

Not used to being 0 off 18 balls, but I had to tackle that situation - Smriti Mandhana

Apart from ton from Smriti Mandhana, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur also slammed a magnificent ton as well. She ended with a knock of unbeaten 103 runs off 88 balls. Thanks to the valiant ton from the captain and her deputy, India Women posted a gigantic total of 325 runs on the board.

India women would be confident of winning the game after posting a gigantic total on the board. They were exceptional with the ball in the first match and would be keen to deliver similar kind of performances in the second game and seal the series.

Smriti Mandhana also talked about her innings and highlighted the need to tackle the situation when she was at 0 off 18. She also lauded skipper Harmanpreet Kaur for her heroics and stated:

"The wicket wasn't playing the way it was in the first match. So, had to change a few things initially, not used to being 0 off 18 balls, but I had to tackle that situation. Later on, when Harmanpreet came, she batted beautifully from the first ball and made my job easy. Really happy that we could get a 200+ score and she could get a hundred in the last over. Cricket has taught us that we can't take anything for granted. It was really important to come out fresh today," she concluded.