How Did Smriti Mandhana Become the Fastest Woman to Reach 5000 Runs in ODIs?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Smriti Mandhana became the fastest woman to reach 5000 runs in ODIs.
- She achieved this feat in just 112 matches.
- Her performance included an innings of 80 runs against Australia.
- Mandhana scored 974 runs this season, the highest by any player.
- This achievement highlights the growth of women's cricket.
Visakhapatnam, Oct 12 (NationPress) Indian opener Smriti Mandhana made history on Sunday by becoming the youngest and quickest player to amass 5000 runs in Women's ODI cricket during a match against Australia at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam.
The 29-year-old achieved this remarkable feat in just 112 Women's ODI matches by hitting a six off Kim Garth of Australia in the 21st over, surpassing the previous record held by Stafanie Taylor (WI), who reached 5000 runs in 129 matches.
As reported by ESPNCricinfo, the list of the fastest players to reach 5000 runs in Women's ODI is now topped by Smriti Mandhana (112 matches), followed by Stafanie Taylor (129 matches), Suzie Bates (NZ) in 136 matches, Mithali Raj (IND) in 144 matches, and Charlotte Edwards (ENG) in 156 matches.
Mandhana reached this milestone while scoring 80 runs before being caught at deep midwicket off Sophie Molineux. She dazzled with her innings of 80 off 66 balls, striking nine boundaries and three sixes. After a cautious start, she shifted gears and completed her fifty in just 46 balls.
This season, Mandhana has been in exceptional form, accumulating the highest runs by any player in a calendar year (974 runs). On Sunday, she recorded her first fifty of the 2025 Women's World Cup off 46 balls.
Despite a slow start in the World Cup, where she scored only 54 runs in the initial three matches, she showcased her true potential with a stellar performance against a familiar opponent.
Prior to the World Cup, Mandhana had also scored two centuries, amassing 300 runs in a three-match ODI series against Australia.