Smriti Mandhana Breaks Belinda Clark’s Record

Smriti Mandhana has made headlines! The Indian opener shattered a significant record during the ICC Women’s World Cup match against South Africa in Visakhapatnam. She needed just 12 runs to surpass Belinda Clark’s calendar-year record. Mandhana scored 23 runs before being dismissed by Nonkululeko Mlaba.

India approached this match undefeated. They had already secured wins against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Meanwhile, South Africa aimed to bounce back after a tough 10-wicket loss to England. They had won against New Zealand in their previous match.

Mandhana started the tournament slowly. She scored only 8 runs against Sri Lanka and 23 against Pakistan. However, her form in 2025 has been outstanding. She has amassed 959 runs in 16 innings, averaging 59.93 with a strike rate above 113. This includes four centuries and three fifties.

The record she broke was previously held by Belinda Clark. In 1997, Clark scored 970 runs in 16 matches, with an average of 80.83. She had a strike rate of 98.11 and an unbeaten score of 229. Mandhana’s achievement places her among the top players in women’s cricket.

Mandhana is also close to another milestone—5,000 ODI runs. She needs just 58 more runs. If she reaches this mark, she will become the second Indian woman to do so, after Mithali Raj. She will also be the fifth woman overall to achieve this feat.

Her ODI career stats are impressive. Mandhana has scored 4,942 runs in 111 matches. She has 13 centuries and 32 fifties, with an average of 47.06 and a strike rate of 89.61.

Fans in India are witnessing history. Mandhana continues to excel and break records, pushing women’s cricket to new heights.