New Delhi, Sept. 20 -- Smriti Mandhana geared up for the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 in style with the fastest ODI hundred by an Indian batter (across genders) during the third game against Australia women in New Delhi on Saturday. It was her second consecutive hundred in the series, having scored 117 in the second game in New Chandigarh.

Chasing a mammoth 413 runs to win, India lost opener Pratika Rawal early. However, it was Mandhana all over as she dispatched the Australian bowlers at will to reach three figures in just 50 balls, surpassing Virat Kohli's 52-ball hundred, also against Australia in 2013. This is also the final competitive game for India ahead of ICC Women's World Cup 2025, which starts on September 30 at home.

The south...