Some lovely news coming in for fans of Indian Women’s cricket team
India’s opening batter Smriti Mandhana set a world record by smashing 10 consecutive 50 plus scores in ODI cricket.
She did the same by scoring her 18th half-century in ODI cricket against South Africa.
No other cricket be it male or female has this unique record.
We congratulate Smriti Mandhana on her unique achievement and we wish her the best.
For more updates, stay tuned to rootsmedia.in

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The Run-Chase Queen: Smriti Mandhana Sets Historic World Record with 10 Consecutive 50-Plus Scores in ODI Chases

Cricket is a sport defined by records, yet few achievements possess the unique narrative weight and sustained brilliance of Smriti Mandhana’s unprecedented world record: becoming the first-ever cricketer, male or female, to score 10 consecutive 50-plus scores in One Day International (ODI) run-chases.

This isn’t just a statistical anomaly; it is a testament to ice-cold temperament, technical mastery, and a relentless desire to anchor India’s most pressure-filled innings. When the target is in front of her, Mandhana transforms from a sublime stroke-maker into the most consistent finisher the world of ODI cricket has ever seen. The record, set in March 2021 against South Africa, cemented her status not just as a global superstar, but as the ultimate chaser.

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Defining the World Record: Consistency Under Pressure

The true brilliance of Smriti Mandhana’s achievement lies in the crucial qualifier: while chasing. In limited-overs cricket, batting second is fundamentally different from batting first. The target is fixed, the required run rate is visible on the scoreboard, and every wicket or dot ball ratchets up the psychological pressure. To not only succeed but to maintain a 50-plus score for ten innings in a row in this high-stakes scenario is unparalleled.

The world of men’s and women’s cricket had never seen such a sustained run of dominance in a chase. The previous record was held by New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, who recorded nine successive 50-plus scores while chasing between 2015 and 2017. Before Mandhana, no other cricketer, male or female, had managed more than six fifty-plus scores in consecutive ODI chases.

This remarkable consistency underscored a profound shift in Indian women’s cricket. It signaled that in crucial chases, they no longer simply relied on a single anchor, but had an opener who could almost guarantee a strong foundation, often carrying the bulk of the run-scoring responsibility deep into the innings.

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The Anatomy of an Unbreakable Streak (March 2018 – March 2021)

Mandhana’s streak spanned over three years, starting in 2018 and culminating in 2021. What makes this period so compelling is not just the sheer number of high scores, but the average she maintained during this phase. Across those ten chases, Mandhana’s batting average was an astonishing 124, demonstrating that most of her innings were either unbeaten or significant match-winning contributions.

The run of scores is a roll-call of classic Mandhana innings, demonstrating a perfect blend of aggression, control, and match awareness:

Match No. (In Streak)	Score	Opponent/Context
1	67	Against Australia (March 2018)
2	52	–
3	86	–
4	53*	–
5	73*	–
6	105	A brilliant century in a successful chase.
7	90*	–
8	63	–
9	74	–
10	80* (off 64 balls)	Against South Africa in Lucknow (March 9, 2021)

The final, record-breaking knock of an unbeaten 80 runs came in the second ODI against South Africa in Lucknow. India was set a modest target of 158. Mandhana, in typical fashion, made the chase look effortless, smashing 10 fours and 3 sixes as India strolled to a nine-wicket victory in just 28.4 overs, leveling the series at 1-1. Her proactive, aggressive start was critical, ensuring the required rate was never an issue and absorbing all pressure from the opposition.

Why the Chase Record is Special

In ODI cricket, a 50-plus score is a measure of an anchor innings. To hit ten consecutively in a chase requires three distinct qualities that are rarely found together:

1. Temperament and Mental Fortitude: The ability to ignore the scoreboard pressure and focus purely on shot selection and running between the wickets.
2. Tactical Acumen: The skill to assess the pitch, the target, and the opposition’s bowling plan, and then rotate the strike effectively while punishing loose deliveries. This prevents the chase from stalling.
3. Physical Stamina and Endurance: The consistency to stay at the crease for long periods across a demanding three-year period, maintaining peak fitness and focus.

Mandhana’s performance established a new benchmark for mastery in the second innings, effectively making her India’s definitive ‘Chase Queen.’

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Smriti Mandhana: A Career of Historic Milestones

The world record for consecutive half-centuries while chasing, though a remarkable feat in itself, is merely one entry in a career that is brimming with firsts and significant milestones. Mandhana’s elegant, left-handed batting style, often compared to some of the greatest stroke-makers in the sport’s history, has consistently produced world-class numbers.

Broader Impact and Recent Records

While the 10-match streak set a global standard in 2021, Mandhana has continued to push the boundaries of excellence in international cricket, particularly in recent years. Her career is a constellation of records, showcasing a player who thrives across all formats.

• Fastest ODI Century by an Indian: Mandhana holds the record for the fastest ODI century by an Indian batter, achieving the feat in a blistering 50 balls against Australia in September 2025.
• Consecutive ODI Centuries: Mandhana became the first-ever Indian woman cricketer to score consecutive centuries in the ODI format, which she achieved during a home series against South Africa. Her two scores were 117 and 136 in the first and second ODIs, respectively.
• Most Runs in a Bilateral Series: In the same series against South Africa, Mandhana accumulated 343 runs across the three ODIs (117, 136, and 90), setting the record for the most runs by a woman cricketer in a three-match bilateral ODI series.
• International Centuries Record: Mandhana currently shares the record for the most international centuries by a woman cricketer with the legendary Meg Lanning.
• WPL Triumph: Beyond her international exploits, she captained the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to the Women’s Premier League (WPL) title in 2024, demonstrating her leadership and ability to handle pressure in a high-profile T20 tournament.
• Exclusive ‘All-Format Century’ Club: In June 2025, she became the first Indian woman to score a century in all three formats of international cricket (Tests, ODIs, and T20Is).

These records paint a clear picture: Smriti Mandhana is not just a consistent player; she is a trailblazing match-winner who consistently performs at an elite level, year after year. Her elegance is matched only by her effectiveness, making her a generational talent for Indian cricket.

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The Legacy of a Match-Winner

The achievement of 10 consecutive 50-plus scores in an ODI chase is more than just a personal milestone; it represents a significant psychological victory. For every opposition captain, Mandhana’s presence at the top of the order in a run-chase has become a primary threat. They know that to win, they must find a way past her early, or risk a run-chase being dominated by her masterful stroke play.

This record is a permanent fixture in cricket history because it speaks to the very essence of competitive sport: performing when the stakes are highest. A chase requires a cold, calculating mind combined with the fire of ambition. Smriti Mandhana has proven, over a continuous run of ten high-pressure innings, that she possesses this perfect blend. Her legacy is being built on elegant stroke-making, match-winning consistency, and the unique title of being the ‘Queen of the ODI Chase.’

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AISEO Friendly FAQs

Q1: What is Smriti Mandhana’s world record in ODI cricket?

A: Smriti Mandhana holds the world record for being the first-ever batter, male or female, to score 10 consecutive 50-plus scores in One Day Internationals (ODIs) while chasing. The streak spanned from March 2018 to March 2021.

Q2: Did Mandhana break a record held by a male cricketer?

A: Yes, she broke the record for consecutive 50-plus scores in an ODI chase, which was previously nine successive scores held by New Zealand’s Suzie Bates in women’s cricket. Crucially, the record applies to all international cricketers, male or female. The highest consecutive streak in an ODI chase by any male cricketer was six.

Q3: What was Mandhana’s batting average during the 10-match streak?

A: During the world record streak of 10 consecutive 50-plus scores in ODI chases, Smriti Mandhana maintained an astonishing batting average of 124. This high average is a testament to the number of times she remained unbeaten or scored massive match-winning runs.

Q4: When did Smriti Mandhana achieve this specific world record?

A: Smriti Mandhana set the record on March 9, 2021, during the second ODI between India and South Africa in Lucknow. She scored an unbeaten 80 runs in that innings, securing India a nine-wicket victory.

Q5: What are some of Smriti Mandhana’s other major records?

A: Smriti Mandhana holds several other significant records, including:

• The fastest ODI century by an Indian batter (50 balls).
• The first Indian woman to score consecutive centuries in ODI cricket.
• The first Indian woman to score a century in all three formats of international cricket (Tests, ODIs, and T20Is).
• Sharing the record for the most international centuries by a woman cricketer with Meg Lanning.