Smriti Mandhana Sets New Record as Highest Run-Scorer in Women's International Cricket
Historic Achievement by Smriti Mandhana
Renowned Indian cricketer Mithali Raj extended her congratulations to Smriti Mandhana after the vice-captain of India eclipsed Raj's record, becoming the leading run-scorer in women's international cricket across all formats. This milestone was achieved during a remarkable 124-run innings against Hong Kong in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, held at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.
Mandhana's Record-Breaking Performance
With a stunning 64-ball innings of 124 runs, Mandhana not only surpassed Mithali Raj's previous record of 10,868 runs but also made history as the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket.
Top Five Run-Scorers in Women's International Cricket
The current top five run-scorers in women's international cricket are as follows:
| Player | Runs |
|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | 10,880 |
| Mithali Raj | 10,868 |
| Suzie Bates (New Zealand) | 10,740 |
| Charlotte Edwards (England) | 10,273 |
| Stafanie Taylor (West Indies) | 10,007 |
Mithali Raj's Heartfelt Message
Mithali Raj, the former captain of India, took to social media to express her admiration for Mandhana's achievement. She praised Mandhana's journey from a budding player to one of India's finest batters, stating, "Well deserved, @mandhana_smriti! I’ve watched you grow from a young player into one of the finest batters India has produced. To see you go past my record and become the highest run-scorer in international cricket is a moment I’m genuinely proud of. Here’s to many more runs and milestones. Keep going."
Mandhana's Record-Breaking Knock
Mandhana's innings not only set a new record but also marked the highest individual score in Women's T20 Asia Cup history. Her 124 runs surpassed Chamari Athapaththu's unbeaten 119 against Malaysia in 2024. The top five highest scores in Women's T20 Asia Cup history now include:
| Player | Score | Opponent | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | 124 | Hong Kong | 2026 |
| Chamari Athapaththu | 119* | Malaysia | 2024 |
| Mithali Raj | 97* | Malaysia | 2018 |
| Harshitha Samarawickrama | 81 | Thailand | 2022 |
| Shafali Verma | 81 | Nepal | 2024 |
Additionally, Mandhana joined Harmanpreet Kaur as the only Indian women to score centuries in T20Is, with her 124 against Hong Kong following her 112 against England in 2025.
Match Summary: India vs Hong Kong
In the match against Hong Kong, Mandhana's exceptional performance led India Women to a decisive 137-run victory. Her innings of 124 runs, which included 14 fours and seven sixes, helped India set a total of 193/5 after opting to bat first. She formed a solid opening partnership of 74 runs with Shafali Verma, who contributed 28 runs off 17 balls.
In response, Hong Kong was bowled out for a mere 56 runs in 16.2 overs. Deepti Sharma was the standout bowler for India, taking 3 wickets for just 9 runs, while Shree Charani and Prema Rawat each claimed two wickets.