On October 28, sixteen-year-old Chetna Reddy Pagydyala made history in women’s cricket, setting multiple records in her ODI debut against Zimbabwe during an ODI series held in Harare.
Opening for the USA Women’s National Cricket Team, Chetna scored an unbeaten 136 runs off 152 balls, striking 18 boundaries in a remarkable 190-minute stand.
Her performance now holds the record for the highest individual score on debut in women’s One Day Internationals, breaking a 51-year record.
Additionally, Chetna’s debut score of 136* is the highest individual score by a USA Women’s player in any format. Carrying her bat through the innings, she led her team to victory, establishing herself as a rising star in international cricket.
At 16 years and 177 days, she became the second-youngest player to score a century in women’s ODIs, following Ireland’s Amy Hunter, with India’s Mithali Raj ranking third.
Chetna’s remarkable entry into ODI cricket is a proud moment for USA Cricket and an inspiration for young players nationwide.
A junior at Beckman High School in Irvine, California, and a resident of Tustin, Chetna first discovered her passion for sports through tennis before transitioning to cricket in 2016, encouraged by her older brother, Pranav.
Chetna's parents, Venkat and Pushpa Pagydyala, hail from Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh, India, adding another layer of pride for the local and international Indian community.