Mandhana Ends World Cup With 434 Runs, Surpasses Mithali Raj’s 2017 Record for India

Indian opener Smriti Mandhana etched her name into cricket history during the ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025 final against South Africa at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy on Sunday, surpassing former captain Mithali Raj to become the highest run-scorer for India in a single edition of the tournament. Mandhana's 45 off 58 balls—featuring eight boundaries at a strike rate of 77.59—pushed her tournament tally to 434 runs in nine innings, eclipsing Raj's long-standing record of 409 from the 2017 edition. Her knock, part of a crucial 112-run opening stand with Shafali Verma, provided stability after South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and elected to bowl first on a pitch offering early seam movement. Mandhana's campaign, averaging 54.25 with a century (109 vs. New Zealand) and two fifties, ranks her second overall behind Wolvaardt's 470, underscoring her evolution into a pillar of India's batting attack.

Mithali Raj's 2017 haul—409 runs at 45.44, including a century and three fifties—had stood as a benchmark for Indian batters, powering India to the final in England where they fell short against the hosts. Mandhana, needing just 21 more runs entering the final, achieved the milestone with elegant drives through covers, blending caution with flair to anchor the innings. Her consistency this edition followed a modest start, rebounding with fifties against Australia and England in the league phase and a match-winning 112 in the semi-final versus the same opponents. At 29, Mandhana now holds the joint second-most ODI centuries (14) behind Australia's Meg Lanning (15), and her 2025 calendar year aggregate of 1,362 runs across 23 ODIs—boasting five centuries and five fifties—further cements her as the format's preeminent Indian run-machine.

The record-breaking knock came amid high drama, as Mandhana fell to Chloe Tryon's spin in the 18th over, edging a cut to wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta and leaving India at 112 for one after 27 overs. With the match poised for a crowning moment—the first Women's World Cup final hosted in India since 1997—Mandhana's contribution sets the stage for captain Harmanpreet Kaur and the middle order to chase glory. India, unbeaten in the tournament save a rain-affected washout, eyes their maiden title, having topped the points table with seven wins. South Africa's unchanged XI, featuring all-rounder Marizanne Kapp and pace spearhead Ayabonga Khaka, aims to shatter their "chokers" reputation after semi-final heartbreaks.

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Mandhana's ascent mirrors women's cricket's surge in India, where participation has risen 25% since 2017, fuelled by icons like Raj paving the way for talents like her. As the 33,000-capacity venue buzzes with over 30,000 fans—many enduring pre-match rains—the stakes transcend records, embodying a quest for equity in a sport where India has invested Rs 1,000 crore in infrastructure since 2020. Whether Mandhana's runs propel a historic triumph remains the evening's unfolding narrative.

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