Indian batting sensation Smriti Mandhana has surpassed Mithali Raj's long-standing record to become the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket following a blistering century.
- Smriti Mandhana completed 10,880 international runs.
- Surpassed Mithali Raj's all-time record of 10,868 runs.
- Became the first woman to score 18 international centuries.
- Set a new Asia Cup individual high score of 124 runs.
In a dominant display at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, India secured a massive 137-run victory over Hong Kong in the Women's T20 Asia Cup Group 'A' match, officially clinching a spot in the semifinals. The architect of this historic triumph was India's opening batter Smriti Mandhana, who etched her name in the history books with an explosive 124-run century, coming off just 64 deliveries and featuring 14 boundaries and 7 massive sixes.
With this monumental innings, the 30-year-old Mandhana has emerged as the highest run-scorer in the history of women's international cricket. She has now completed a staggering 10,880 runs across all three formats, eclipsing the legendary former Indian captain Mithali Raj, who held the previous record of 10,868 runs. Furthermore, Mandhana has become the leading century-maker in women's international cricket with 18 hundreds, overtaking Australia's Meg Lanning (17 hundreds).
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that Mandhana's ascent represents a fundamental shift in the power dynamics of women's cricket. Her ability to maintain high strike rates while accumulating massive volumes of runs places her in an elite category of all-time greats, bridging the gap between traditional technique and modern T20 aggression.
Mandhana's record-breaking feat is a testament to her unparalleled longevity and her ability to perform under immense pressure on the global stage.
Mandhana's dominance extends deep into the T20 format as well. She has become the Indian batter with the most sixes in Women's T20 Internationals, hitting 95 sixes and surpassing Harmanpreet Kaur (89 sixes). Additionally, her 124 runs set a new benchmark for the highest individual score in Asia Cup history, breaking the previous record held by Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu (119*). She is also the first woman in the world to score over 500 runs in T20Is in four consecutive calendar years (2018, 2022, 2024, and 2026).
On the bowling front, India's attack was equally devastating. After India posted a formidable total of 194, the Hong Kong batting lineup crumbled, being bowled out for just 56 runs. Deepti Sharma led the charge, taking 3 wickets for 9 runs, making her the highest wicket-taker in Women's T20 International cricket. Sri Charani, Prema Ravat, and Nandini Sharma contributed with 2 wickets each to complete the rout.
Historical Background
For nearly two decades, Mithali Raj stood as the undisputed queen of Indian women's batting. However, the evolution of the game has allowed players like Mandhana to utilize power-hitting more effectively. Mandhana's journey from a promising youngster to the world's leading run-scorer marks the professionalization and rapid growth of the women's game globally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Whose record did Smriti Mandhana break?
Answer: She broke Mithali Raj's record of 10,868 runs by reaching 10,880 runs.
Question 2: How many centuries has Mandhana scored in international cricket?
Answer: She has scored a total of 18 international centuries.