Women's WC 2025: Smriti Mandhana creates history, becomes first woman to score...

2025 has turned into a dream year for Smriti Mandhana, who continues to redefine women’s cricket with her consistency and flair. During the Women’s World Cup 2025 clash against Australia in Visakhapatnam, the Indian vice-captain etched her name into cricketing history by becoming the first-ever woman to score 1,000 ODI runs in a single calendar year.

Mandhana reached the milestone in style, stepping down the track and lofting Sophie Molineux for a magnificent six over long-on in the eighth over. With that stroke, she surpassed her own record from the previous match, where she broke Belinda Clark’s 1997 tally of 970 runs in a year.

Scaling Milestones Like a Champion

The left-handed opener didn’t stop there. In the same innings, she also crossed 5,000 career ODI runs, becoming the youngest and fastest player in women’s cricket to achieve the feat. Mandhana’s fluent 80 off 66 balls, studded with nine boundaries and three sixes, showcased her trademark elegance and power.

In 2025 alone, she has already piled up four centuries and four fifties, cementing her dominance across formats.

From Struggles to Stunning Comeback

After a modest run in the early stages of the World Cup, with scores of 8, 23, and 23- Mandhana bounced back in spectacular fashion against Australia.

Currently, she ranks fifth among all-time leading ODI run-scorers, behind Mithali Raj, Charlotte Edwards, Suzie Bates, and Stafanie Taylor. She also shares the record for the second-highest number of centuries in women’s ODIs, alongside Bates.

Smriti Mandhana’s journey continues to inspire, and 2025 may just be her defining year.

As it stands now during the high-octane Women's World Cup clash against Australia, India Women have scored 310, losing 6 wickets in 45 overs.