Smriti Mandhana Becomes Youngest and Fastest to Reach 5000 Runs in Women’s ODIs

Visakhapatnam: Indian opener Smriti Mandhana etched her name in cricketing history on Sunday by becoming the youngest and fastest player to reach 5000 runs in Women’s One-Day Internationals (ODIs). She achieved the milestone during India’s Women’s World Cup match against Australia at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

The 29-year-old reached the landmark in her 112th ODI appearance, smashing a six off Australian pacer Kim Garth in the 21st over to surpass West Indies’ Stafanie Taylor, who had achieved the feat in 129 matches.

According to ESPNCricinfo, the updated list of the fastest players to 5000 ODI runs is now led by Mandhana (112 matches), followed by Taylor (129), Suzie Bates (New Zealand) in 136, Mithali Raj (India) in 144, and Charlotte Edwards (England) in 156 matches.

Mandhana’s innings on Sunday was a masterclass in timing and aggression. She scored 80 runs off 66 balls, hitting nine fours and three sixes, before being caught at deep midwicket off Sophie Molineux. After a cautious start, she shifted gears post her fifty off 46 balls, showcasing her trademark flair and dominance.

The left-hander, who has been in sublime form this season, also holds the record for most runs by any player in a calendar year (974). Her fifty against Australia was her first half-century of the 2025 Women’s World Cup.

Although Mandhana struggled in the early part of the tournament, managing only 54 runs in the first three matches, she roared back to form with this commanding knock against one of her favourite opponents.

Notably, just weeks before the World Cup, Mandhana had hammered two centuries and amassed 300 runs in a three-match ODI series against Australia, setting the stage for her latest milestone achievement.