India Women’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana had a disappointing start to her Women’s World Cup 2025 journey. She managed only eight runs off 10 balls against Sri Lanka in the tournament opener at Guwahati, hitting two boundaries before being caught at deep point while trying to attack Udeshika Prabodhani.
Mandhana will be keen to recover ground when India play arch-rivals Pakistan in their next match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, October 5. Although she was thrown out in the opener, she has had a purple patch in recent times, registering consecutive centuries in the home campaign against Australia.
The 28-year-old has appeared in 109 ODIs till now, having opened the innings in 108 of them. Just before India plays her marathon against Pakistan, her figures as an opener are interestingly compared with Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya who had also opened 108 times in his career.
1. Smriti Mandhana vs Sanath Jayasuriya – Who has a better average and strike rate after opening in 108 games?
Smriti Mandhana is at a significant advantage because of consistency over Sanath Jayasuriya. She has played 108 ODIs as an opener where she has scored 4,871 runs with a tremendous average of 47.75 and a strike rate of 89.93. The fact that she has been playing high-quality teams such as England, Australia and South Africa points to her consistency under all circumstances.
Jayasuriya, though, had 3,664 after 108 matches as opener with an average of 36.27 and a strike rate of 95.59. He scored faster, but his average was much lower than that of Mandhana, who demonstrated that she could balance aggression and stability.
2. Smriti Mandhana vs Sanath Jayasuriya -Who has scored more hundreds after opening 108 ODIs?
Mandhana now wins again in the centuries. She has opened in 108 ODIs, and has scored 13 hundred and 32 fifties with four tons (against Australia) and three (against South Africa). Her best score, of 136, was against the Proteas in Bengaluru and this represents her capability to perform on a big stage.
| Player | Runs | Average | SR | HS | 100s | 50s |
| Smriti Mandhana | 4,871 | 47.75 | 89.93 | 136 | 13 | 32 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | 3,664 | 36.27 | 95.59 | 151* | 7 | 24 |
Jayasuriya had by comparison scored seven hundreds and 24 fifties in the same number of matches. A beautiful 151* against India in 1997 in Mumbai was his best knock. Despite his reputation of having explosive openings, the fact that Mandhana has more centuries serves as testimony of her consistency as a contemporary opener.
3. Smriti Mandhana vs Sanath Jayasuriya – Who has a better record in chases after opening in 108 ODIs?
Mandhana has been outstanding while chasing. In 46 innings where India batted second, she has scored 2,230 runs at an average of 55.75 and a strike rate of 93.54, including five hundreds and 17 fifties. Her calm approach while chasing has made her one of India’s most dependable players in pressure situations.
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | SR | HS | 100s | 50s |
| Smriti Mandhana | 46 | 2,230 | 55.75 | 93.54 | 125 | 5 | 17 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | 64 | 2,145 | 36.98 | 98.25 | 151* | 4 | 15 |
Jayasuriya, in comparison, had 2,145 runs in 64 matches while chasing, averaging 36.98 at a strike rate of 98.25. Although he maintained a slightly faster scoring rate, Mandhana’s higher average and match-winning knocks give her the upper hand.
4. Smriti Mandhana vs Sanath Jayasuriya – Who has a better record in wins after opening in 108 ODIs?
The award winning causes of Mandhana are extraordinary. She has also played 65 out of 108 as an opener in 108 ODIs with an average of 59.18 and a strike rate of 92.18 with 3,492 runs. Her 10 hundreds and 23 fifties in winning demonstrate the importance of her performance to the success of India.
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | SR | HS | 100s | 50s |
| Smriti Mandhana | 65 | 3,492 | 59.18 | 92.18 | 136 | 10 | 23 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | 61 | 2,549 | 43.94 | 100.39 | 151* | 6 | 17 |
Jayasuriya on the other hand made 2 549 runs in 61 wins with an average of 43.94 and a strike rate of 100.39. Although individual strike rate was greater, the average of Mandhana was better and more consistent which makes her record even more impressive in the games which were won by her team.
