During the IND-W vs. SA-W World Cup match, Smriti Mandhana breaks the all-time record in Vizag.

On Thursday in Visakhapatnam, Smriti Mandhana made history by surpassing Australian great Belinda Clarke for the most runs in a single year in women’s ODI cricket. Mandhana accomplished this during a 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup match against South Africa. Mandhana was sent into bat first and got off to a poor start against the Proteas, with Pratika Rawal, her opening partner, doing all the hitting.

When the southpaw hit Ayabonga Khaka for a six in the eighth over, Mandhana accomplished his feat. Finally, she was out of the game after being bowled by Nonkululeko Mlaba for 23 from 32 balls. With 981 runs in 2025, Mandhana is currently at the top of the leaderboard. Clarke had scored 970 runs in 1997.

All-rounder Deepti Sharma and former captain Mithali Raj, who each hit 787 and 783 runs in 2017, were the closest Indians have ever come. Given that Rawal scored more than 760 runs in 2025, she could possibly be a threat to Mandhana this season. Earlier, South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and chose to field against the hosts, India, after the thrilling match was interrupted by constant rain. Visakhapatnam’s unrelenting rain caused an hour-long delay in the toss. But because to the hard work of the ground crew, who used a super sopper to make sure the players aren’t hampered by the surface, not a single over has been lost due to bad weather.

South Africa and India both made one alteration to their starting lineups. In contrast, India replaced Renuka Singh Thakur with all-rounder Amanjot Kaur. In contrast, Masabata Klaas was replaced by Tumi Sekhukune for South Africa.