Smriti Mandhana, currently the World No. 1 ODI batter in women’s cricket, made history on Sunday, October 12. Playing her 18th ODI of 2025 against Australia in Visakhapatnam, she needed just 18 runs to reach 1,000 runs in a calendar year. Mandhana achieved the feat in style, smashing Sophie Molineux for a six on the third ball of the eighth over.

Breaking Belinda Clark’s Record

Earlier in the match, Mandhana broke Belinda Clark’s long-standing record for the most runs in a calendar year in women’s ODIs. Clark scored 970 runs in 16 matches for Australia in 1997. Mandhana’s consistency and skill have rewritten history.

Crossing 5,000 ODI Runs

Mandhana scored 80 runs off 66 balls against Australia. This innings also helped her reach 5,000 runs in women’s ODIs. Only four women have achieved this milestone. Former India captain Mithali Raj tops the list with 7,805 runs in 232 matches from 1999 to 2022. England’s Charlotte Edwards, New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, and West Indies’ Stafanie Taylor follow her.

Key Player for India

India lost narrowly to South Africa by three wickets in their third match of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 on October 9. The team now looks to Mandhana for a big performance against Australia. In her last ODI against Australia at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, she scored a century in just 50 balls, proving she can change a match in a single innings.

Smriti Mandhana’s record-breaking year shows her dominance in women’s cricket. She has set new standards with her batting and continues to inspire fans and fellow players alike with her performances.