Sat Sep 20 13:00:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
Smriti Mandhana, the star opener of the Indian women’s cricket team, has etched her name in the record books by scoring the fastest ODI half-century by an Indian woman batter. She achieved this feat against Australia in the third ODI, reaching the milestone in just 23 balls, surpassing Richa Ghosh’s previous record of 26 balls. Mandhana’s aggressive innings included 9 boundaries and 2 sixes. She is now the fourth fastest woman batter overall to achieve this milestone in ODI cricket.
**News Article:**
**Mandhana Blazes Fastest ODI Fifty for Indian Woman, Shatters Record Against Australia**
**New Delhi:** Smriti Mandhana, the dynamic opener of the Indian women’s cricket team, blazed her way into the record books on Saturday, smashing the fastest half-century in ODI history by an Indian woman. The left-handed batter reached the milestone in a mere 23 balls against Australia in the third and final ODI of the series.
Mandhana’s blistering innings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium included nine boundaries and two towering sixes, propelling India to a strong start. She overtook Richa Ghosh, who previously held the record with a 26-ball fifty against New Zealand in 2022. Her dynamic partnership with Harleen Deol added to India’s momentum.
The 29-year-old reached her 33rd ODI fifty with a boundary off Ashleigh Gardner in the seventh over.
While Mandhana’s record is a landmark for Indian cricket, she stands as the fourth-fastest woman batter globally to achieve this feat in ODIs. Fans are hoping Mandhana continues her stellar form.
First Piper 