Smriti Mandhana Surpasses Mithali Raj to Become Highest Run-Scorer in Women’s Cricket

Smriti Mandhana has already established herself among the finest batters in women’s cricket, but on Thursday she reached a new pinnacle by becoming the most prolific run-scorer in the history of the women’s game. During India’s Women’s Asia Cup 2026 clash against Hong Kong China in Dubai, the Indian vice-captain surpassed legendary former captain Mithali Raj’s tally of 10,868 international runs to become the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket across all formats.

A Spectacular Knock to Rewrite History

Mandhana produced a breathtaking 124 off 64 balls, smashing 14 fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of 193.75 as India posted 193 for five after being asked to bat first. Her record-breaking innings not only took her past Mithali but also established a series of new milestones. Mandhana entered the match knowing she was closing in on Mithali’s long-standing record. Having already overtaken New Zealand great Suzie Bates to move into second place during the Asia Cup opener against Thailand, the 30-year-old needed one more major push to rewrite the all-time record, and she delivered far more than that.

How the Innings Unfolded

Mandhana initially had to negotiate a slow Dubai surface and disciplined Hong Kong bowling. Shafali Verma provided the early acceleration, with the opening pair putting on 50 before Verma departed for 28 off 17 balls. Mandhana reached her half-century and then launched an extraordinary assault, moving from 50 to 100 in just 17 deliveries. Her century came off 57 balls before she eventually finished with 124 from 64 deliveries, her second T20I hundred. Her dismissal came on the final over of the innings following a mix-up with Bharti Fulmali, but by then Mandhana had already rewritten the record books. 

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New Milestones and Records Set

Mandhana’s landmark innings did not stop with the all-time runs record. Her century took her international hundred tally to 18, making her the leading century-maker in women’s international cricket, ahead of Australia’s Meg Lanning and South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, who had 17 each. She also became the first Indian woman to score two T20I centuries. Her previous hundred had come against England in 2025, when she made 112. The latest innings also extended Mandhana and Shafali’s remarkable partnership record. Their 50-plus stand against Hong Kong was their 29th in T20Is, the most by any pair in the format.

The All-Time Leading Run-Scorers

Mandhana now sits at the top of the all-time run-scorers list in women’s international cricket with 10,880 runs. Mithali Raj is second with 10,868 runs. New Zealand’s Suzie Bates is third with 10,740 runs, followed by England’s Charlotte Edwards with 10,273 runs and West Indies great Stafanie Taylor with 10,007 runs, completing the top five.

A Legacy Built on Excellence

Mithali’s 10,868 runs had stood as the benchmark of women’s international batting excellence since her retirement in 2022. Mandhana’s explosive rise has now taken her beyond that mark. What made Thursday’s achievement even more remarkable was the manner in which Mandhana reached it. On a surface that offered little pace, she adapted her game, used the back foot effectively, and found ways to manufacture boundaries. Smriti Mandhana said during the mid-innings break that she just loves batting and was happy that she could contribute.