Smriti Mandhana Shatters Records in Asia Cup Match Against Hong Kong

Mandhana's Remarkable Performance

In a stunning display of batting prowess, Smriti Mandhana, a key player for the Indian women's cricket team, revealed that she was unaware of the records she had set during her century against Hong Kong. Following her impressive innings, she commended Hong Kong's disciplined bowling during the powerplay and their overall energy on the field. Mandhana noted that while the pitch initially offered some low bounce, it became more favorable for batting as she settled in. She expressed her joy in contributing to the match, highlighting the significance of the occasion for Hong Kong as well. Mandhana's explosive performance saw her score 124 runs off just 64 balls, leading India Women to a total of 193/5 in their Women's Asia Cup 2026 Group A match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Praise for Hong Kong's Bowling

"I was completely unaware of the records being broken. Facing slower bowlers is quite challenging for me, but I must give credit to them. Their discipline during the powerplay was commendable, and the energy they displayed is something we can all learn from. I simply love batting, and I’m thrilled to have made a contribution," Mandhana stated after India's innings.

"The ball did keep a bit low during the powerplay. However, once I got my eye in, it became easier to judge the length and play my shots. I’ll continue to commend them because this is our first encounter, and it’s a memorable moment for them as well," she added.

Record-Breaking Achievements

With her remarkable innings, Mandhana has now become the leading century-maker in women's international cricket, achieving her 18th century and surpassing the previous record of 17 held by former Australia captain Meg Lanning. Additionally, she has become the top run-scorer in women's international cricket, amassing a total of 10,880 runs, which exceeds the tally of 10,868 runs set by former India captain Mithali Raj. Furthermore, Mandhana is now the first Indian woman to score two T20I centuries, surpassing the record previously held by India’s skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.