IND-W vs SA-W: Consistency thy name, Smriti Mandhana notches up third Century in 12 days

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If consistency in cricket had a face, it would be none other than star Indian batter Smriti Mandhana. The stylish left-hander, currently in exceptional form, has seamlessly translated her white-ball success to the red-ball format by notching up a sensational century in the first innings of the one-off Test against South Africa at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday, June 28.

On June 28, Indian fans woke up to the delight of Rohit Sharma's side reaching the T20 World Cup 2024 final after securing a commanding 68-run win over England at Providence Stadium in Guyana. Just hours later, the women's cricket team brought even more joy to Indian fans with Mandhana's brilliant performance on the opening day of the game. Also Read: IND-W vs SA-W: Shafali-Smriti record highest Test partnership for India Women

In September 2021, Mandhana slammed her maiden Test century against Australia on their home turf. Fast forward to June 2024, and she has now achieved another milestone, scoring her first Test century on Indian soil.

Mandhana reached her century against Protea women in just 122 balls, adorned with 19 exquisite fours. This century marks the second of her Test career and is particularly significant as it highlights her evolving consistency and prowess in the longer format of the game.

Her century in the Chennai Test is the third century she has scored against South Africa in the last 12 days. Before this, Mandhana had struck two consecutive centuries in the ODI series against South Africa on June 16 and June 19. And, on June 28, she mirrored that achievement in Test cricket and played a knock of 149 off 161 deliveries.

Overcoming disappointments

Reflecting on her journey, Mandhana admitted after the first ODI, "I was really mad with myself in the last 4-5 years. Whenever I played at home in ODIs, I ended up scoring 70-80 (runs) and throwing away my wicket."

Mandhana's performances were nothing short of spectacular in the just concluded ODI series. She scored 117 in the first ODI, 136 in the second, and 90 in the third, helping Team India secure a series whitewash.

Mandhana's disappointment at missing out on a third consecutive century was evident after the third ODI, but her positivity shone through. "Unfortunate to miss the hundred today. I was batting much better than I did in the first two matches. I am really happy we won the series 3-0," the stylish left-handed batter said.

Mandhana's century in the Chennai Test against South Africa is a testament to her dedication and resilience. It underscores her ability to adapt and excel across different formats and conditions. As she continues to build on her impressive career, fans and cricket enthusiasts alike eagerly anticipate more such stellar performances from this extraordinary cricketer.