Smriti Mandhana becomes first Indian woman to hit two consecutive ODI hundreds

Mandhana also equalled Mithali Raj for the most ODI centuries among Indian women with her seventh ton in the format.

Smriti Mandhana became the first Indian woman to record two consecutive ODI hundreds during the second ODI against South Africa at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Following up on her 117 in the previous ODI against the Proteas, the highest by an Indian at home, Mandhana led the attack for India after South Africa opted to field. She strode to a 103-ball hundred, recording her second century in as many innings this series, on the back of 12 fours and two sixes.

Mandhana also equalled Mithali Raj for the most ODI centuries among Indian women with her seventh ton in the format. The left-hander put up firm stands with Shafali Vera and Dayalan Hemalatha before lifting the scoring alongside skipper Harmanpreet Kaur for the third wicket. The duo joined at 100 for two in 23 overs and doubled the score within the next 17 overs.

She eventually fell on 136 her highest score in the format before Harmanpreet romped to an unbeaten 103. India finished on 325/3, their highest score against South Africa and highest at home.

Incidentally, Mandhana is the first Asian woman to compile consecutive ODI tons with New Zealand’s Amy Satterthwaite leading the charts, having struck four successive centuries in 2016-17.

Mandhana ranks sixth on the all-time run-getters list among women openers in ODIs. With her seventh ton, the 27-year-old jumped to joint-third in terms of centuries among openers in the format.

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