In a dazzling display of batting prowess, Smriti Mandhana achieved a historic milestone during her match-winning innings of 124 runs against Hong Kong in the ongoing Asia Cup. This remarkable performance not only propelled India to a commanding victory but also saw Mandhana surpass the legendary Mithali Raj to become the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket. Entering the match with 10,756 international runs, Mandhana needed just 112 runs to eclipse Raj’s record of 10,868. She finished her innings with a total of 10,880 runs, marking a significant achievement in her illustrious career.
Mandhana's 124 runs also marked her 18th international century, placing her ahead of both Meg Lanning and Laura Wolvaardt, who each have 17 centuries to their names. This feat not only highlights her consistency and skill but also solidifies her position as one of the leading figures in women’s cricket. Her innings against Hong Kong was particularly noteworthy, as it set the record for the highest score in the Women's T20 Asia Cup and established a new benchmark for India in T20 internationals. Furthermore, her seven sixes in the match took her past Harmanpreet Kaur, making her the player with the most sixes for India in the T20 format.
India's performance in the Asia Cup has been impressive thus far, beginning with a strong 94-run victory over Thailand. In their match against Hong Kong, India batted first, with Mandhana and Shafali Verma forming a solid opening partnership that yielded 74 runs before Verma was dismissed for 28. However, the middle order struggled to contribute significantly, with Pratika Rawal, Richa Ghosh, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur all falling cheaply for scores of 10, 11, and 10 respectively.
During the innings, India experienced a brief lull, failing to hit a boundary for 22 deliveries, which included the dismissal of Verma. Mandhana, however, broke the shackles with a six and a four off the last two balls of the 11th over, reaching her fifty in 40 balls. She accelerated her scoring thereafter, bringing up her century in just 57 balls, showcasing her ability to shift gears when needed. Her explosive batting included three consecutive sixes in the 18th over, which not only propelled her past Mithali Raj's record but also helped India post a formidable total of 193 for 5.
On the bowling front, India’s attack was equally impressive, as they bowled out Hong Kong for a mere 56 runs. Deepti Sharma led the charge with a stellar performance, taking three wickets for just nine runs. Nandani Sharma, Sree Charani, and Prema Rawat each contributed with two wickets, ensuring a comprehensive victory for India.
With this win, India currently sits at the top of Group A with two victories from two matches, accumulating four points. Their next challenge will be against arch-rivals Pakistan on September 5 in Dubai, a highly anticipated clash that promises to be a thrilling encounter. Meanwhile, Hong Kong remains at the bottom of the table, still seeking their first points in the tournament.
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