Smriti Mandhana has entered another extraordinary chapter in her already remarkable career, establishing herself at the very top of women’s international cricket with a sensational record-breaking innings against Hong Kong in the Women’s Asia Cup.
Mandhana’s breathtaking 124 off just 64 balls, featuring 14 boundaries and seven sixes, was much more than another spectacular batting performance. It was the innings that propelled her beyond one of the greatest records in women’s cricket and firmly placed her name alongside the game’s all-time legends.
The Indian opener surpassed the legendary Mithali Raj’s record of 10,868 international runs, becoming the highest run-scorer in the history of women’s international cricket across Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
It was a particularly symbolic achievement. Mithali had spent more than two decades establishing herself as one of the greatest players the women’s game had produced. Now, Mandhana has taken the record forward, becoming the new statistical leader of an era in which women’s cricket has expanded dramatically in popularity, competitiveness and global reach.
Mandhana’s record-breaking night did not stop there.
Her century against Hong Kong was her 18th international hundred, taking her past former Australia captain Meg Lanning and making Mandhana the leading century-maker in women’s international cricket.
The innings also produced another significant milestone. It was Mandhana’s second T20I century, making her the first Indian woman to score two hundreds in Women’s T20I cricket. Her previous T20I century came against England in 2025, when she made 112.
What made the latest innings even more impressive was its attacking nature. Mandhana combined her trademark timing and elegance with an extraordinary level of aggression, scoring at a strike rate of more than 190. Her seven sixes and 14 fours demonstrated how effectively she has developed her T20 game.
Mandhana’s rise has been remarkable since her international debut in 2013. Over the years, she has evolved from an exciting young left-hander into one of the most recognisable and influential figures in women’s cricket.
Her achievement is also significant because it represents the passing of a baton between generations. Mithali Raj established the benchmark for Indian women’s batting over an extraordinary career. Mandhana has now surpassed that benchmark while still having considerable cricket ahead of her.
At only 29, Mandhana has already become the leading run-scorer and leading century-maker in women’s international cricket.
Her latest achievement therefore cannot be viewed simply as another statistical record. It is a defining moment in the career of a player who has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in women’s cricket.
Smriti Mandhana is no longer merely following the legends.
She has now become the record-holder herself. (HW)
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