Smriti Mandhana smashes all records, becomes greatest women’s ODI cricketer in this feat

Team India opening batter Smriti Mandhana broke an all-time record during the 10th match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 against South Africa. The left-handed batter achieved the record for the most runs by a woman batter in a calendar year, surpassing former Australian cricketer Belinda Clark's tally.

India secured victories in their first two World Cup games. After a one-hour rain delay, South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt opted to field first in Visakhapatnam on Friday, October 9. South Africa included Tumi Sekhukhune for Masabata Klaas, while India recalled Amanjot Kaur for Renuka Singh Thakur.

Smriti Mandhana Breaks All-Time Record in Women’s ODIs

Smriti Mandhana scripted history by surpassing Belinda Clark’s long-standing record for the most ODI runs in a calendar year. The 29-year-old achieved the milestone with a six off Ayabonga Khaka in the eighth over of India’s innings. Clark scored 970 runs for Australia in 1997.

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Mandhana now has 982 runs from 17 matches at an impressive average nearing 60 and a strike rate of 113.76, including four centuries in 2025. The previous best by an Indian woman in a single year was with Deepti Sharma, who scored 787 runs in 2017.

If Mandhana adds 18 more runs in the ongoing marquee tournament, she will become the first-ever women’s cricketer to reach 1000 ODI runs in a calendar year, further cementing her dominance in the format.

Most ODI Runs in a Calendar Year - Women’s Cricket

Smriti Mandhana Close to Another Batting Record in World Cup

Smriti Mandhana got off to a slow start in her Women’s World Cup campaign, scoring 8 and 23 in the opening games against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The left-hander is featuring in her third ODI World Cup, having earlier played a key role in India’s 2017 runner-up finish in England.

The Maharashtra batter is also close to the 5,000-run milestone in women’s ODIs—a feat only four others have achieved. If she reaches the mark, Mandhana will join Mithali Raj as the second Indian and fifth overall to do so.

Mithali (7,805 runs), England’s Charlotte Edwards (5,992 runs), New Zealand’s Suzie Bates (5,896 runs), and West Indies’ Stafanie Taylor (5,873 runs in 170 ODIs) have scored more runs than Mandhana in the format.

During the ODI series against Australia in September, Smriti scored two centuries. She showcased her explosive form in the series decider at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on September 20, reaching a hundred off just 50 balls.

Also read: Not Virat Kohli! Shubman Gill looks to emulate Rohit Sharma, issues blunt remarks on becoming ODI captain