A beast vs the best: Breaking down Smriti Mandhana’s love affair with Australia in ODIs

Smriti Mandhana got back amongst the runs vs Aussies [Source: @BCCIWomen/x.com]

Smriti Mandhana finally came alive in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 and how! After a rather quite start to the tournament, the Indian opener roared back to form in Vizag against the mighty Australians.

With pressure galore, Mandhana produced a stunning 80 off just 66 balls that oozed class, timing and pure intent. It was a statement. The left-hander smashed the Aussie bowlers like she owned the place.

In the process, Mandhana also became the youngest and the fastest to reach 5000 ODI runs in women’s cricket. Let’s analyse her numbers against Australia.

Mandhana vs Australia and Mandhana vs other countries

If there is one team that truly brings the best out of Smriti Mandhana, it is Australia. Against every other side, she is good. But against the Aussies, she is pure box-office.

Four hundreds, six fifties and nearly a thousand runs at a strike rate over 108, those are elite numbers, the kind that tell you she thrives in the heat of battle.

Australia bowl short, they bowl quick, they test your patience but Smriti seems to love it. Her skill to counterattack against the world’s most aggressive bowling unit has made her one of their biggest headaches over the years.

Let’s take a look at how Smriti Mandhana's record compares against other teams:

When you see numbers like these, one thing becomes clear, Mandhana dominates them.

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Comparison of Mandhana with other IND batters vs AUS

You can throw in any name: Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, none of them come close to what Mandhana has done against Australia. She averages nearly 50, which is miles ahead of everyone else.

While others have chipped in here and there, Mandhana has made it a habit. She is not just consistent, she is clutch. Every time the pressure is on, every time India needs someone to stand tall, she raises her hand.

Harmanpreet might have the flamboyance, Jemimah might have the shots but Smriti has the temperament. Against Australia, that is extremely critical.

Impactful performances of Mandhana vs AUS in WODIs

Smriti’s record-breaking knocks against Australia read like a highlight reel. From Hobart to Delhi, she has made a habit of tormenting them with both elegance and authority. Let’s take a look at her best knocks vs Australia.

• 1. 102 off 109 balls, Hobart, Feb 5, 2016: Smriti Mandhana stitched a gem at Bellerive Oval, scoring 102 off 109 with 11 fours, timing everything through cover as India posted 252/8. She was named Player of the Match even though Australia chased 253 with 20 balls to spare. Pure class in a losing cause.
• 2. 105 off 109 balls, Perth, Dec 11, 2024: On a spicy WACA deck while chasing a 299 run target, Mandhana kept India in the hunt with a silky 105 off 109. She raised fifty off 50, then cashed in with crisp drives but the chase fizzled after her exit and India folded for 215. Australia won by 83, yet Smriti’s knock was the lone bright spark.
• 3. 117 off 91 balls, New Chandigarh, Sep 17, 2025: Mandhana blasted 117 off 91 with 14 fours and 4 sixes as she set the tempo from ball one and pushed India to 292. The bowlers shut the door as Australia were bundled for 190. India won by 102 and Smriti pocketed Player of the Match award.
• 4. 125 off 63 balls, Delhi, Sep 20, 2025: A run-fest at Arun Jaitley. Chasing a massive 413, Mandhana went ballistic with 125 off 63 as she peppered the ropes 17 times and clearing them five. India finished on 369, short of the target, but her blitz during the series helped he win Player of the Series award.

Australia have awakened a beast

Before this match, Smriti was under the scanner. Scores of 14, 23 and 23 don’t do justice to her calibre. Critics were whispering that maybe she had lost her touch. But champions have a funny way of answering, not with words but with runs.

In Vizag, she was at her best. From ball one, she meant business. That little shuffle across, that confident step forward and those signature drives, it was poetry in motion. Once she got her eye in, there was no stopping her.

The Aussies might have thought they had her number, but all they have done is poke the bear. Or in this case, awaken the beast. Smriti is back in rhythm and when she bats like this, there is simply no better sight in women’s cricket.

The Hitwoman has clocked in. And now she is going to make it count!

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