Smriti Mandhana has become the all-time leading run-score in women’s international cricket after a record-breaking century for India at the Women’s Asia Cup.
Mandhana smashed 124 runs from 64 deliveries to help India to a 137-run victory over Hong Kong in their second Group A match, as they posted 193-5 from their 20 overs before bowling out their opponents for 56.
The innings saw Mandhana reach 10,880 runs across all three formats for India and pass former captain Mithali Raj to become the all-time leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket.
Mandhana’s century – containing 14 fours and seven maximums – was her 18th across formats, which also saw her move past former Australia captain Meg Lanning for most centuries in women’s international cricket.
“Until I was batting, I didn’t know what record [I had broken] because I didn’t know what exact runs [I had made],” Mandhana said in the post-match press conference.
“But looking back, I’d say a very good day for Indian cricket. Of course, Mithali [Raj] has been such a legend and a role model. We’ve all grown up watching her bat, so to go past in the tally of runs is something that I’d definitely not imagined to do.”
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Take a look back at some Smriti Mandhana magic for India vs England in 2021
She added: “Two of the legends of the game: Meg Lanning and Mithali Raj – these are the people I’ve grown up watching. I’ve tried to take a lot of things from them as batters, so really happy that I could go past them in whatever ways.”
Mandhana made her India debut in 2013 and scored her maiden T20I century last year, becoming the first Indian batter to score a ton across all formats in women’s cricket.
Raj, who held the previous record with 10,868 runs across formats, said on X: “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!”
The 30-year-old could pass 11,000 runs during the Asia Cup, with India next in action against Pakistan on Saturday.
