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India's vice-captain Smriti Mandhana surpassed former Australia skipper Belinda Clark to break a 28-year-old record for the most runs in a calendar year in Women’s ODIs. The stylish opener achieved the milestone during India’s third Women’s World Cup match against South Africa here on Friday.

 

Mandhana scored 23 off 32 balls before being dismissed by Nonkululeko Mlaba in the 11th over. She had broken Clark’s long-standing record of 970 runs, finishing the year with 982 runs in 17 matches at an average of 57.76 and a strike rate of 112.22. Her tally includes four centuries and three fifties, eclipsing Clark’s benchmark set in 1997.

 

The southpaw’s landmark came with a powerful first-ball six in the eighth over, stepping out to dispatch Ayabonga Khaka’s delivery over the boundary rope. Despite her early departure, Mandhana’s feat reflects her sustained dominance on the international stage.

 

“This is a historic moment for me and Indian women’s cricket,” Mandhana said after the match.

Also read: Everyone you meet tells you to win: Smriti ahead of Ind-Pak match

 

Earlier this year, Mandhana had produced a stunning 100 off 50 balls in the third ODI against Australia at Arun Jaitley Stadium, setting the record for the fastest hundred by an Indian in 50-over cricket. Her century was the second-fastest globally, behind Australia’s Meg Lanning’s 45-ball ton against New Zealand in 2012.

 

She has achieved four centuries in the ongoing calendar year, marking the second time she has reached this landmark, following her exploits last year. Mandhana has now accumulated 13 ODI hundreds, equal second with New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, two behind Lanning’s 15.

 

The opener also notched 117 in 91 balls in the second ODI of the World Cup series, paving the way for India’s 102-run triumph. This marked the second instance of her consecutive centuries, making her the first Indian woman to achieve the feat twice.

 

Mandhana’s consistent run-scoring continues to inspire a new generation of cricketers, even as her form in the ongoing World Cup remains under scrutiny.