Smriti Mandhana has etched her name in the annals of women's cricket by becoming the all‑time leading run‑scorer for India across the three major formats. Her record‑shattering century came during the Women's Asia Cup, a tournament that has already produced several memorable moments for the Indian side. In the second Group A encounter, India faced Hong Kong and posted a formidable total of 193‑5 in the allotted twenty overs.
Mandhana was the catalyst for that imposing score, unleashing an aggressive innings of 124 runs off just 64 balls. Her on‑fire display propelled the team to a 137‑run victory, as the bowlers subsequently dismissed Hong Kong for a paltry 56. The knock was not only a display of power hitting but also a statistical watershed. By the time she completed her hundred, Mandhana’s aggregate across Tests, One‑Day Internationals and Twenty‑20 Internationals stood at 10,880 runs, allowing her to overtake former captain Mithali Raj as the highest run‑getter in women's international cricket.
In addition, the century—comprising 14 fours and seven sixes—marked her 18th international ton and pushed her past former Australian skipper Meg Lanning for the most centuries in the women's game. When asked about the achievement in the post‑match press conference, Mandhana admitted she was unaware of the exact milestone she had reached while she was still at the crease. "I was focused on the ball and the runs, not on the record,” she said.
“Looking back, it feels like a fantastic day for Indian cricket. Mithali has always been a legend and a role model for all of us. Growing up watching her bat, I never imagined I would one day surpass her tally.” She went on to pay tribute to the two icons who have shaped her career: “Meg Lanning and Mithali Raj are the legends I grew up watching.
I have tried to absorb everything they taught us batters. It means a lot to be able to move ahead of them in any statistical category.” Mandhana’s journey to this historic moment began with her debut for the national side in 2013.
Over the years she has evolved into a linchpin of the batting order, capable of turning matches on her own. Last year she recorded her maiden T20I century, becoming the first Indian woman to register a hundred in each format of the game. That milestone laid the groundwork for the current feat, underscoring her consistency and adaptability across differing match situations. Mithali Raj, who previously held the record with 10,868 runs, responded on the social platform X with heartfelt congratulations.
“Well deserved, @mandhana_smriti. I have watched you grow from a young player into one of the finest batters India has produced. To see you surpass 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!” At 30 years of age, Mandhana is poised to cross the 11,000‑run threshold before the Asia Cup concludes. India’s next fixture is against Pakistan, scheduled for Saturday, offering her another platform to extend her tally and cement her legacy further. Beyond the numbers, Mandhana’s achievement carries broader significance for women's cricket in the subcontinent. It highlights the rapid progress of the sport, the increasing depth of talent, and the growing visibility of female athletes on the global stage.
Her record‑breaking century serves as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers, demonstrating that with dedication, skill, and the right mindset, historic milestones are within reach. The innings itself was a masterclass in modern limited‑overs batting. Mandhana combined textbook technique with fearless stroke‑play, rotating the strike efficiently while also finding the boundary with ease. Her 14 fours displayed an ability to find gaps in the field, whereas the seven sixes underscored her power-hitting prowess.
The strike rate of nearly 194 runs per 100 balls put relentless pressure on the Hong Kong bowlers, forcing them into defensive lines and ultimately leading to a collapse. India’s bowlers complemented the batting heroics by exploiting the early morning conditions in the venue, maintaining tight lines and lengths that restricted the opposition to a meager 56 runs.
The comprehensive win not only boosted India’s net run rate but also reinforced their status as a dominant force in the tournament. Looking ahead, the upcoming clash with Pakistan promises to be a high‑stakes encounter, given the historic rivalry between the two nations. For Mandhana, it presents an opportunity to add another century or at least a substantial contribution to the scoreboard, further solidifying her place at the summit of women’s cricket.
In summary, Smriti Mandhana’s 124‑run blitz against Hong Kong has rewritten the record books, propelling her past both Mithali Raj and Meg Lanning in the all‑time runs and centuries columns. Her achievement is a testament to years of hard work, perseverance, and an unwavering passion for the game. As the Asia Cup progresses, all eyes will remain on Mandhana to see how many more milestones she can achieve before the tournament concludes.