Smriti Mandhana Makes History with Century Against Australia but India Suffers 0-3 Whitewash

Smriti Mandhana made her mark in the record books with an outstanding century against Australia in the third ODI at W.A.C.A. Ground, Perth. Despite India's 83-run loss in the match, the Indian cricketer managed to create history with her fourth century of the year. Mandhana took on the challenge of chasing a 299-run target and fought bravely with the bat, scoring 105 runs off 109 balls. She single-handedly kept India in the game until her dismissal, after which the team suffered a dramatic collapse, going from 189/3 to being all-out for 210. Despite the defeat, Mandhana's remarkable innings will be remembered for her sheer determination and skill at the crease.

Madhana has been the most in-form batter for India this year in ODIs, but she hasn't got much support from the other end. As a result, the Women in Blue missed out on several opportunities to get over the line.

The Indian vice-captain became the first women's cricketer to score four ODI centuries in a calendar year. Earlier, seven women cricketers hit three ODI tons in a year - which includes South African captain Laura Wolvaardt who did it this year. Meanwhile, the others on the list are Meg Lanning (2016), Nat Sciver-Brunt (2023), Sophie Devine (2018), Sidra Amin (2022), Amy Satterthwaite (2016), Belinda Clark (1997).

Meanwhile, Mandhana's ninth ODI century was laced with 14 fours and a six, as she is just six behind, equaling the record of most ODI tons, which is held by former Aussie skipper Meg Lanning (15).

Earlier, Australian middle-order batter Annabel Sutherland (110) struck a fine century as the hosts posted 298/6 against India.

Ashleigh Gardner (50) and skipper Tahlia McGrath (56 not out) were the other Australian batters who made vital contributions.

India's Arundhati Reddy grabbed four wickets, conceding just 26 runs in her 10 overs.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur talked about the embarrassing 0-3 whitewash and said they would analyse what didn't work out for them on the tour after returning to India.

"I think we bowled really well, especially Arundhati. Lots of learning for us from this tour, the way they bowled and batted. We will go back and analyze the whole tour and understand where we went wrong. Smriti’s knock was fantastic. We did well in patches but we didn’t continue our momentum, that’s what we need to work on," Harmanpreet said after the match.