India opener Smriti Mandhana breaks run-scoring and century records

DUBAI: India opener Smriti Mandhana produced a breathtaking performance against Hong Kong, China, on Thursday, rewriting two major records in women’s international cricket with a spectacular century at the Women’s Asia Cup 2026.

The 30-year-old left-hander smashed 124 runs from just 64 balls, including 14 fours and seven sixes, to become the highest run-scorer and leading century-maker in women’s international cricket.

Mandhana entered the match needing to surpass former India captain Mithali Raj’s tally of 10,868 international runs. Her explosive innings took her career total to 10,880, moving her to the top of the all-time list.

Mithali Raj, who retired in 2022, had long held the record after compiling her runs across Tests, ODIs and T20Is. New Zealand’s Suzie Bates now sits third on the list with 10,740 runs.

But Mandhana’s remarkable night did not end with the runs record.

Her century was her 18th in international cricket, allowing her to move past former Australia captain Meg Lanning and South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt, who both have 17 centuries.

Mandhana also became the first Indian woman to score two T20 international centuries. Her previous T20I hundred came against England in 2025.

Her innings was particularly impressive because Hong Kong’s bowlers initially made scoring difficult with disciplined bowling and slower deliveries. Mandhana took her time before changing gears dramatically, reaching her century from 57 balls.

Her knock also set a new record for the highest individual score in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history, surpassing Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu, who had scored an unbeaten 119 in 2024.

Mandhana’s brilliance helped India post 193-5, before the Indian bowling attack completed a dominant performance, dismissing Hong Kong for just 56 and securing a massive 137-run victory. India consequently advanced to the Asia Cup semi-finals.

Despite the historic nature of her innings, Mandhana admitted afterwards that she was unaware of all the records she had broken.

“I didn’t know all of this happened,” she said, adding that she was simply happy to contribute to the team.

For Indian cricket, however, the numbers tell a remarkable story. Mandhana has now moved beyond Mithali Raj’s long-standing benchmark and established herself as the most prolific run-scorer and century-maker in women’s international cricket.

Her next challenge will come against Pakistan in India’s final group-stage match on September 5, with Mandhana entering the contest after one of the most memorable innings of her career.