It's been a golden year for India in sports with many records broken, the World Cup victory, a record medal haul in Paralympics and now India’s dynamic opener, Smriti Mandhana, etched her name in cricketing history on Sunday by breaking the world record for the most international runs in a calendar year. During the first ODI against the West Indies in Vadodara, Mandhana played a spectacular knock of 91 runs, taking her 2024 tally to 1,602 runs across all formats.

With this, she surpassed South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, who had amassed 1,593 runs earlier this year. This year, Mandhana scored five centuries and ten fifties in just 36 matches, with her highest score being 149 in a Test match against South Africa in Chennai this June.

A World Record Year for Smriti Mandhana

Mandhana’s incredible year is a culmination of consistent performances across formats. Alongside breaking the world record for most international runs in a calendar year, she also set the record for the most runs in women’s T20Is in a single year. She scored a stunning 763 runs in the format during 2024.

Moreover, she added another feather to her cap by achieving the record for the most 50+ scores in women’s T20Is during the series-deciding game against the West Indies last Thursday.

This isn’t the first time Mandhana has held the world record for calendar-year runs. She previously set the mark in 2018 before losing it to England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt in 2022. Now, at 28, Mandhana has reclaimed her place at the top with her exceptional batting prowess.

A Team Effort in Vadodara

The first ODI at Vadodara’s Kotambi Stadium was a showcase of teamwork and brilliance. India’s batting lineup delivered a collective masterclass, achieving a commanding total of 314/9. While Mandhana led the charge with her 91, crucial contributions came from Harmanpreet Kaur (34 off 23), Harleen Deol (44 off 50), Richa Ghosh (26 off 12), and Jemimah Rodrigues (31 off 19).

The Women in Blue then bowled out the West Indies for a mere 103 runs, securing a 211-run victory and taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Since making her international debut in 2013, Mandhana has been the backbone of India’s batting lineup. Her elegant stroke play and unmatched consistency have earned her accolades worldwide. Over her career, she has represented India in 92 ODIs, 148 T20Is, and seven Test matches, accumulating 3,903, 3,761, and 629 runs, respectively.

Mandhana is India’s all-time leading run-scorer in women’s T20Is and ranks second globally, trailing only New Zealand’s Suzie Bates.

All-Time Calendar Year Records in Women’s Cricket

Smriti Mandhana’s incredible 2024 season puts her at the pinnacle of world cricket. Here’s how her record-breaking performance compares to past greats:

• Smriti Mandhana (2024): 1,602 runs (100s: 5, 50s: 10)
• Laura Wolvaardt (2024): 1,593 runs (100s: 5, 50s: 7)
• Nat Sciver-Brunt (2022): 1,346 runs (100s: 3, 50s: 6)
• Smriti Mandhana (2018): 1,291 runs (100s: 1, 50s: 12)

With two ODIs remaining against the West Indies this year, Mandhana has a chance to extend her world record even further. Fans and cricketing experts alike are eager to see how she caps off this extraordinary season.

Smriti Mandhana’s 2024 achievements are more than just numbers. In a sport where records are hard to come by, she has raised the bar for women’s cricket globally.  As the cricketing world celebrates this milestone, one thing is certain: Smriti Mandhana isn’t done making history yet!