Smriti Mandhana shocked, makes U-turn after surviving LBW scare; New Zealand players in disbelief

Smriti Mandhana's spectacular 109 powered Team India to a commanding position in the ICC Women's World Cup 2025. Surviving a tense lbw review, she went on to register her 14th ODI century, forming a record-breaking 212-run opening partnership with Pratika Rawal. Mandhana continues to dominate as the tournament's leading scorer.

The review for LBW and the subsequent decision from the umpire left players shocked (Screengrabs)

Indian opener Smriti Mandhana continued her prolific run-scoring in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 with a brilliant 109 off 95 balls against New Zealand at the DY Patil Stadium. Her innings, featuring 10 fours and four sixes, came after a tense moment when she survived an lbw call off Amelia Kerr.

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Mandhana, batting on 77 from 73 balls, was initially given out lbw, but she immediately reviewed the decision. UltraEdge revealed a faint edge, leaving the batter visibly surprised as she realized she had nicked the ball. Kerr and other New Zealand players reacted in disbelief, and Mandhana returned to the crease, determined to continue her innings. What made things better for the India batter was the fact that she was already on her way to the dugout when the decision of 'NOT OUT' on the big screen left her visibly surprised.

Smriti Mandhana started walking back after the umpire raised her finger, signaling OUT (Screengrab)

She went on to reach her 14th career century in ODIs off 88 balls, putting India in a strong position to secure a semifinal berth. The century was India’s first in the tournament and came as part of a record-setting opening partnership of 212 runs with Pratika Rawal, the highest opening stand for India in women’s ODIs. Mandhana and Rawal have now recorded four 150-plus partnerships in ODIs, the joint-most by any pair alongside Belinda Clark-Lisa Keightley and Suzie Bates-Amy Satterthwaite. Their seventh century stand also equals the most for any Indian opening pair.

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During her knock, Mandhana attacked consistently, punishing New Zealand bowlers with a range of strokes. She scored two boundaries off Sophie Devine in one over and dominated Amelia Kerr, hitting a four and six off successive deliveries in the 29th over. Mandhana’s performance solidifies her as the leading run-scorer in 2025, having amassed 1,259 runs in 20 innings this calendar year. She also leads the World Cup tally with 331 runs, including two half-centuries and a century, reinforcing her status as India’s premier batter.

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