In a performance that will be etched into cricketing history, Smriti Mandhana lit up the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 with a scintillating 109 against New Zealand—her first century of the tournament and Team India’s maiden hundred in the competition. The knock not only powered India past the 200-run mark but also secured their spot in the semifinals with a game to spare .
More remarkably, Mandhana’s innings tied her with the all-time record for the fastest century by a woman in World Cup history—reaching the three-figure mark in just 91 balls. She now shares this elite milestone with Australia’s Belinda Clark (1997) and New Zealand’s Sophie Devine (2022).
How Mandhana’s Century Unfolded
Walking in at No. 1 on a slightly overcast morning in Christchurch, Mandhana wasted no time. She dispatched the Kiwi pacers with elegant cover drives and fierce pulls, racing to 50 off just 38 deliveries. Her timing was surgical, her footwork precise, and her intent unmistakable.
After losing her opening partner early, Mandhana anchored the innings with maturity, rotating strike and punishing loose overs. She brought up her century with a soaring six over long-on—her 12th boundary of the innings—and was eventually dismissed in the 42nd over, caught behind off Amelia Kerr.
Thanks to her foundation, India posted 223/8, a total that proved more than enough as the bowlers—led by Renuka Singh (3/28) and Deepti Sharma (2/31)—restricted New Zealand to 176 all out.
Records Rewritten and Milestones Reached
Mandhana’s knock wasn’t just about runs—it was a masterclass in high-stakes batting. Here’s what she achieved:
- First Indian woman to score a century in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.
- Joint-fastest century in Women’s World Cup history (91 balls).
- Became only the third Indian woman ever to score a World Cup hundred, after Mithali Raj (2005) and Harmanpreet Kaur (2017).
- Her 109 is the highest individual score by an Indian in this edition of the tournament.
Why This Century Matters Beyond the Scoreboard
For years, Mandhana has been hailed as one of the most elegant batters in women’s cricket—but critics often pointed to her inconsistency in knockout-format tournaments. This innings silenced those doubts emphatically.
“This was for every girl who’s been told she’s ‘too aggressive’ or ‘not consistent enough,’” Mandhana said in the post-match interview, visibly emotional. “World Cups are where legends are made. I wanted to show up.”
Women’s World Cup 2025: India’s Road to the Semis
| Match | Opponent | Result | Mandhana’s Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | Lost by 4 wickets | 34 |
| 2 | South Africa | Won by 6 wickets | 68* |
| 3 | England | Lost by 7 runs | 22 |
| 4 | New Zealand | Won by 47 runs | 109 |
What’s Next for Team India?
With a semifinal berth confirmed, India will face either Australia or South Africa in the knockout stage, depending on the outcome of the final league matches. Mandhana’s form—and newfound big-match temperament—could be the X-factor India needs to chase their first-ever Women’s World Cup title.
As fans across the country celebrate her heroics, one thing is clear: Smriti Mandhana didn’t just score a century—she announced her arrival as a true World Cup warrior.
Sources
Times of India: Smriti Mandhana equals world record against NZ, scores IND’s first century in WC