Smriti Mandhana Shines in Historic ODI Series Against South Africa

Indian vice-captain and batter Smriti Mandhana made history on Sunday by becoming the woman player with the most runs in a three-match bilateral ODI series. This achievement came during India’s third ODI against South Africa in Bengaluru.

Mandhana scored 90 runs in 83 balls, hitting 11 fours, with a strike rate of 108.43. In the previous two ODIs, she scored 117 runs in 127 balls and 136 runs in 120 balls. Over the three matches, she accumulated 343 runs at an average of 114.33 and a strike rate above 103, including two centuries and a fifty. Mandhana was awarded ‘Player of the Series’ as India won the series 3-0.

In the third ODI, South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first. Laura Woolvardt and Tazmin Brits put up a 102-run opening stand, but Indian bowlers restricted them to 215 runs in 50 overs. Deepti Sharma and Arundhati Reddy were the top bowlers for India.

During India’s run-chase, Mandhana scored 90 runs, supported by Shafali Varma, Priya Punia, and Harmanpreet Kaur. Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh finished the game, leading India to victory with six wickets and 56 balls remaining. Deepti Sharma was named ‘Player of the Match’.