India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana became the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket after a record-breaking century powered India to a 137-run victory over Hong Kong in the Women’s Asia Cup on Thursday.
Mandhana scored a blistering 124 off 64 balls, with 14 fours and seven sixes, to surpass former India captain Mithali Raj’s tally of 10,868 international runs. The left-hander now has 10,880 runs across Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
Mandhana also became the leading century-maker in women’s international cricket, taking her tally to 18 hundreds and moving past Australia great Meg Lanning and South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, who have 17 centuries each.
“I didn’t know all of this happened,” Mandhana said.
“But I love batting and am happy to contribute. There are days when you hit balls from the stumps. There are days when you edge one. It’s extremely unpredictable.”
Mandhana surpasses role model Mithali
Mandhana, who made her India debut in 2013, said she never expected to overtake Mithali, under whose captaincy she played a major part of her career and whom she regarded as a role model while growing up.
“Yeah, I mean, till I was batting, I didn’t know what record it was because I didn’t know the exact runs or all of that.
“But yeah, looking back, one of a very good day for Indian cricket, I would say. Of course, Mithali-di has been such a legend and a role model, and we’ve all grown up watching her bat.
“So, to go past her in the tally of runs, I definitely never imagined to do that. But happy that there are two Indians at the top two,” said Mandhana.
She also became the batter with the most centuries in women’s international cricket after reaching 18.
“Going past the international record of centuries, 18 is a good number to go past, firstly, I will say that,” she said.
“But again, I mean, two of the legends of women’s cricket — Meg Lanning and Mithali Raj — genuinely, these are the two people whom I have grown up watching a lot. I’ve tried to take a lot of things from them as batters.
“So, really happy that I could go past them in whatever ways, but again, it’s just a stat, I would say.”
Record knock seals big India win
Mandhana’s innings formed the cornerstone of India’s 193 for five after they were asked to bat first, with Shafali Verma’s 28 the next-highest score for India.
Her 124 also became the highest individual score in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup, surpassing Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu’s unbeaten 119 against Malaysia in the 2024 edition.
Hong Kong were bowled out for 56 in 16.2 overs, giving India their second-biggest victory by runs in women’s T20Is. Deepti Sharma claimed three wickets as India secured their place in the Asia Cup semi-finals.
Mandhana acknowledged Hong Kong’s disciplined bowling in the powerplay and praised their energy.
“They were disciplined in the powerplay, bowled really well, and the energy they showed was something we’ll learn from,” said Mandhana, who also dedicated her achievement to her family.
Mandhana backs India’s middle order
Despite India’s two big wins, their middle order has struggled for runs in the opening matches. Mandhana, however, backed the batters to adapt to the conditions and deliver in the tournament.
“I wouldn’t say that… It’s easy conditions to bat out there. We know it can be a little tricky and definitely, I am not the one to come in the press conferences and talk about or name anyone in that ways,” Smriti said in the post-match media interaction.
“But having said that, I think everyone is a world-class batter in the middle order as well and there’s no doubt about it that they’ll be able to adapt.”
Mandhana also admitted that batting for a prolonged period in Dubai’s heat and humidity was physically demanding.
“It did feel like a steam box today. Dubai, again, with the heat and the humidity, it can get a little tougher. But I was lucky I got a few fours and sixes and I didn’t have to run a lot of twos,” she said.
“But yeah, definitely, I would say a little testing conditions to be batting for a long time.”
Mandhana’s latest milestone adds to a remarkable international career in which she has already become the first Indian woman to score centuries in all three formats, completing the feat with her maiden T20I hundred last year.