Smriti Mandhana Misses 3rd Consecutive Century by 10 Runs; Fans Feel 'Gutted' on Batter Missing Out on History

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Smriti Mandhana, one of India's premier batters, captured the hearts of cricket fans with her scintillating performance in the three-match ODI series against South Africa.

On Sunday, Mandhana scored an impressive 83-ball 90 in the third ODI at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, pushing her series tally to a record-breaking 343 runs. Despite falling just 10 runs short of a historic third consecutive century, Mandhana's feat in this series is nothing short of remarkable.

Mandhana's remarkable run began with back-to-back centuries in the first two ODIs, making her the first Indian woman to achieve such a milestone in the format. Her performance not only showcased her extraordinary talent but also highlighted her consistency and resilience as a top-order batter.

By the end of the series, she had surpassed the previous record for the most runs in a three-match bilateral ODI series, a record held by South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt, who had scored 335 runs against Sri Lanka earlier this year.

As Mandhana walked back to the pavilion, just 10 runs short of what could have been her third consecutive century, fans took to social media to express their admiration and support.

One fan tweeted, "Chinnaswamy crowd giving a standing ovation to Smriti Mandhana six times this year is honestly crazy for a woman who always thought she would never experience this kind of craze." This sentiment was echoed by many, as Mandhana's performances have clearly resonated with cricket lovers across the globe.

Another fan highlighted the inevitable achievement of surpassing Mithali Raj's record, saying, "Smriti Mandhana will have to wait a bit more to leapfrog Mithali Raj's record, but it will surely come sooner or later!" This reflects the confidence and expectation fans have from Mandhana to continue her prolific form.

Acknowledging her overall impact, a fan wrote, "Smriti Mandhana may not have gotten a third century in a row, but she averaged a quite ridiculous 114.33 in the three ODIs against South Africa in Bengaluru. After she led RCB to the WPL title, this is going a long way to cementing her as one of the city's favourite cricketers."

Another fan expressed their admiration with, "Absolutely phenomenal series by Smriti Mandhana! 🔥🔥🔥 Her consistency and brilliance on the field are unmatched. That 90 was just a number-she's truly the Queen of Indian cricket!"

Reflecting the collective disappointment, one tweet read, "Gutted! Smriti Mandhana misses a hat-trick of centuries by a mere 10 runs. ☹️"

Mandhana's incredible performance throughout the series, despite narrowly missing out on the third century, has further solidified her status as a leading figure in women's cricket. Her ability to consistently deliver high-quality performances continues to inspire fans and aspiring cricketers alike.