In a remarkable achievement for women's cricket, Smriti Mandhana has officially become the highest run-scorer in the history of the sport. This milestone was reached during India's Women’s Asia Cup 2026 match against Hong Kong China in Dubai, where Mandhana surpassed the legendary Mithali Raj's long-standing record of 10,868 international runs.
Mandhana's historic feat came in stunning fashion as she scored an impressive 124 runs off just 64 balls. Her innings included 14 boundaries and seven sixes, resulting in a striking strike rate of 193.75. This performance not only propelled India to a total of 193/5 but also marked a significant moment in women's cricket history, as it made her the highest run-scorer across all formats in women's international cricket.
Entering the match, Mandhana was aware that she was on the verge of breaking Mithali Raj's record. Earlier in the tournament, she had already overtaken New Zealand's Suzie Bates to claim the second spot on the all-time list. With the pressure on her, Mandhana delivered a performance that exceeded expectations.
Initially, Mandhana faced a challenging pitch and a disciplined bowling attack from Hong Kong. However, she quickly found her rhythm, especially after Shafali Verma provided a solid start with a quick 28 runs. Once Mandhana settled in, she shifted gears dramatically, reaching her half-century and then accelerating to her century in just 57 balls. Her final score of 124 not only secured her the record but also made her the first Indian woman to achieve two T20I centuries.
Mandhana's innings also set a new record for the highest individual score in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history, surpassing the previous record of 119 runs set by Chamari Athapaththu against Malaysia in 2024. This remarkable performance further solidified her status as one of the leading figures in women's cricket.
Beyond breaking the all-time runs record, Mandhana's century brought her total number of international hundreds to 18, making her the leading century-maker in women's international cricket, ahead of notable players like Australia's Meg Lanning and South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt, both of whom have 17 centuries. Additionally, her partnership with Shafali Verma, which has now reached 29 stands of over 50 runs in T20Is, is the most by any pair in the format.
Mandhana expressed her joy and gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to her team's success. "Having said that, I just love batting, and I’m happy that I could contribute," she stated during the mid-innings break, reflecting on her historic achievement.
Mithali Raj's record had stood as a benchmark for excellence in women's international batting since her retirement in 2022. With Mandhana's explosive rise, she has now set a new standard, with New Zealand's Suzie Bates, England's Charlotte Edwards, and West Indies' Stafanie Taylor rounding out the top five all-time run-scorers in women's cricket.
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