Cricket throws numbers at us all the time - runs, averages, milestones, charts. But once in a while, an innings feels bigger than what the scoreboard can show. That’s exactly what unfolded at Mullanpur, when Smriti Mandhana lifted her bat after reaching her 12th ODI hundred in the heat of an India vs Australia clash. It wasn’t just about another statistic; it was about the authority she carried, the timing of her shots, and the feeling that we were watching someone completely in control.

How it unfolded

Mandhana didn’t start like a storm. She took her time, settled in, left balls outside off, and rotated the strike. You could see the Australians trying to build pressure, but she wasn’t rattled. Then, as overs passed, the gears shifted. Suddenly, the cover drives came crisp and clean, the pulls were decisive, and her running between the wickets had fielders scrambling.

By the time she crossed three figures, the crowd was already on its feet. Phones were out, flags were waving, and commentators struggled to keep up with the roar. It wasn’t just a hundred - it was history. She had equalled Suzie Bates, one of the most respected names in women’s cricket, for the number of ODI centuries.

Why this century mattered more

Every player celebrates a hundred. But this one had extra weight. It came against Australia, a team that has been India’s toughest rival in women’s cricket. Matches between India Women vs Australia Women always have that sharp edge - pride, reputation, and the battle for supremacy.

To score big against them isn’t easy. Their bowlers rarely give freebies, their fielding cuts off boundaries, and their mental game is strong. For Mandhana to dominate in this setting was proof of her class and her calm.

The crowd and the moment

If you weren’t at Mullanpur, you probably saw it online - because the moment spread fast. The crowd went wild when she reached her 100. Families stood up, kids waved banners with her name, and even neutral fans applauded. Social media exploded within minutes, clips of her shots flooding timelines.

What made it special was that feeling in the air. People knew they were watching something rare, not just another innings. It was the kind of knock that sticks in memory, like a bookmark in the story of Indian cricket.

Smriti Mandhana’s style

Some batters are about power. Mandhana is about grace. She doesn’t bludgeon the ball; she shapes it. A simple push through the covers becomes a boundary, a flick off her pads looks effortless. That elegance, paired with her calm under pressure, makes her innings different to watch.

This hundred was another reminder of why she’s considered the face of Indian women’s cricket. She carries not just the team’s hopes but also the expectations of a generation that now sees women’s cricket as something to follow seriously.

Beyond the numbers

Yes, equalling Suzie Bates with 12 ODI centuries is a stat that headlines will highlight. But look deeper, and it’s about consistency and resilience. Mandhana has scored runs in different countries, on different pitches, against every kind of attack. She’s not just adding to her tally; she’s building a legacy.

For young cricketers watching from academies across India, this was fuel. They’ll look at her innings and think, “If she can do it against Australia, so can I someday.” That’s the power of moments like these.

What next?

Records are nice, but they don’t stop the grind. For Mandhana, surpassing Bates is the next obvious step. With years of cricket still ahead of her, she has every chance to do it soon.

But what India needs most is her stability. The team has shown flashes of brilliance, but often relies heavily on her at the top. As the series continues, her form will decide if India can finally tip the scales in their favour against Australia.

The bigger picture

This century also speaks to how far women’s cricket has come in India. Once sidelined, it’s now front and centre. Matches like this grab headlines, pack stadiums, and trend on social media.

At Mullanpur, you could see kids wearing jerseys with Mandhana’s name. You could hear chants that matched the energy of men’s games. That’s a shift worth noticing. It shows women’s cricket isn’t a side story anymore - it’s a main event.

Final word

Nobody will sit around years from now talking about the exact scorecard from this series. What they’ll remember is the picture of Smriti Mandhana - bat lifted high, a smile breaking through, the whole ground roaring as if the moment belonged to everyone.

Yes, cricket keeps records. But the truth is, fans hold on to feelings, not numbers. This innings was one of those rare ones. Against Australia, with the pressure stacked, she didn’t just bat; she stood tall and carried the game on her shoulders.

For the people watching, that hundred felt like more than just runs. It was a rush of pride, a sense of belonging. It told us that women’s cricket in India isn’t just catching up anymore. It’s stepping out in front, ready to set the pace.

For The United Indian

Beyond Cricket Scores

At The United Indian, we believe innings like Mandhana’s are bigger than numbers. They’re stories of grit, grace, and belief. When she batted at Mullanpur, she didn’t just score a hundred - she inspired thousands. That’s the kind of moment we want to celebrate, because it shows the future of Indian sport is brighter than ever.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

1. Who is Smriti Mandhana?

Smriti Mandhana isn’t just India’s vice-captain - she’s the player fans wait to see at the crease. Stylish left-hander, calm under pressure, and known for making tough innings look easy. In the recent clash with Australia Women, she smashed her 12th one-day hundred, and what made it even more special was how quickly she got there - just 76 balls. It wasn’t just another score; it was proof, once again, of why she’s seen as one of the finest batters in the women’s game.

2. How did Mandhana get to the 300-run Mark?

Mandhana got to her milestone off just 76 deliveries. There were a few contributions of short 20-odd knocks while Deepti Sharma scored 40, but it was Mandhana who steered the Indian innings throughout and made sure that India threatened the 300-run mark, if not reach there.

3. How did Mandhana’s innings affect Australia?

Mandhana’s knock put Australia on the back foot in a way we don’t often see. By scoring quickly, she gave the rest of the Indian line-up breathing room - extra balls, extra confidence. Even though India couldn’t quite touch 300, the scoreboard pressure was already doing its job. Australia, a side usually so composed, looked rattled and showed cracks we rarely spot in their game.

4. Did India get to 300-mark in ODI vs Australia?

India didn't get to the 300-mark, but a fabulous Smriti Mandhana century meant that they threatened the milestone and the eventual score of 292 for the Women in Blue to level the three-match ODI series against Australia.

5.Who has the most centuries for India Women in ODIs?

If you look at India’s women cricketers, nobody has scored more hundreds in one-day matches than Smriti Mandhana. She’s already hit 12, all while opening the innings, which is tough enough on its own. Funny thing is, that number also puts her shoulder to shoulder with a couple of global names - Suzie Bates from New Zealand and Tammy Beaumont from England. So, it’s not just an Indian record, it’s her saying, “I belong right up there with the very best.