India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana produced a historic batting performance at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, smashing a breathtaking 124 off 64 balls against Hong Kong, China in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026. The milestone-laden innings propelled her to the top of women’s international cricket’s all-time run-scoring chart, surpassing former India captain Mithali Raj.
Entering the Group A fixture needing 113 runs to claim the top spot, Mandhana systematically dismantled the opposition attack. Her 124-run effort carried her total across all three international formats to 10,880 runs, leading India to a dominant 137-run victory and securing a place in the Asia Cup semi-finals.
Mandhana Breaks Mithali Raj’s Long-Standing Record
Mithali Raj held the benchmark in women’s international cricket for years, finishing her illustrious 23-year career with 10,868 runs in 333 matches. Mandhana overtook the legend in her 302nd international appearance at the age of 30, reaching 10,880 runs at an average of 38.86.
+--------------------+----------------+-------------------+
| Player | Country | International Runs|
+--------------------+----------------+-------------------+
| Smriti Mandhana | India | 10,880 |
| Mithali Raj | India | 10,868 |
| Suzie Bates | New Zealand | 10,740 |
| Charlotte Edwards | England | 10,273 |
| Stafanie Taylor | West Indies | 10,007 |
+--------------------+----------------+-------------------+
Mandhana’s milestone drew praise from Raj, who publicly congratulated the opener on X, celebrating her journey from a promising young talent into a cornerstone of the India women’s cricket team.
A Record-Breaking 124 in Dubai
Mandhana’s innings was a masterclass in pacing. After a measured start that saw her reach fifty off 39 deliveries, the left-handed opener shifted gears dramatically. She accumulated her second 50 runs in just 18 balls, unleashing a flurry of boundaries through the off side and hitting massive sixes over the leg side.
She completed her century off 57 balls before being run out on the final ball of the innings for 124 off 64 balls. Her knock included 14 fours and seven sixes, powering India to 193/5 after being asked to bat first. Shafali Verma provided support at the top with 28 runs off 17 balls. In response, Hong Kong were bowled out for 56 in 16.2 overs, with Deepti Sharma taking 3/5 to seal a 137-run victory.
Another Record Falls: Most International Centuries
Beyond becoming the highest run-scorer in women’s cricket, Mandhana’s 124 marked her 18th international century. With this milestone, she became the leading century-maker in women’s international cricket history.
+--------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Player | Country | International Hundreds|
+--------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
| Smriti Mandhana | India | 18 |
| Meg Lanning | Australia | 17 |
| Laura Wolvaardt | South Africa | 17 |
| Hayley Matthews | West Indies | 15 |
| Suzie Bates | New Zealand | 14 |
| Tammy Beaumont | England | 14 |
+--------------------+-----------------+-----------------------+
The century was her second in Women’s T20Is, making her the first Indian woman to score multiple centuries in the shortest format. She also remains the only Indian woman to record centuries in all three international formats (Tests, ODIs, and T20Is).
How Mandhana Reached the Top
Since making her international debut in 2013 as a 16-year-old, Mandhana has evolved into one of the world’s most consistent openers. Her ability to adapt across red-ball and white-ball formats has anchored India’s top order for over a decade.
+------------------+---------+-------+---------+--------+
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s |
+------------------+---------+-------+---------+--------+
| Test Cricket | 7 | 629 | 57.18 | 2 |
| ODI Cricket | 101 | 4,283 | 45.56 | 14 |
| T20I Cricket | 194 | 5,968 | 34.30 | 2 |
| Total Career | 302 | 10,880| 38.86 | 18 |
+------------------+---------+-------+---------+--------+
Mandhana Among Women’s Cricket’s Greatest Run-Scorers
Mandhana’s rise to the top of the overall run tally places her ahead of legends like Mithali Raj (10,868), Suzie Bates (10,740), Charlotte Edwards (10,273), and Stafanie Taylor (10,007).
What makes Mandhana’s achievement stand out is her rapid scoring rate and adaptability across formats. While traditional run-scorers built their records primarily through 50-over cricket, Mandhana’s tally is bolstered by high-volume run accumulation in T20Is alongside elite ODI consistency.
What Comes Next for Mandhana?
With India securing their semi-final berth in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, Mandhana’s form remains vital to India’s title ambitions. As India prepares for upcoming ICC events, including global World Cups, her leadership and run-scoring consistency at the top of the order will remain central to India’s tactical setup.
Conclusion
Smriti Mandhana’s record-breaking 124 in Dubai represents a watershed moment for Indian and global cricket. Passing Mithali Raj’s long-standing mark of 10,868 runs and setting the new record for most international centuries cements her status among the game’s all-time greats. At 30 years old, Mandhana continues to set new benchmarks for women’s international cricket.
Sources
- International Cricket Council (ICC): Official Player Records, Match Center, and Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Standings.
- Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI): Women’s Team Match Reports & Statistical Updates.
- ESPNcricinfo & Crictracker: India Women vs Hong Kong China Scorecard, Stat Pack, and Historical Record Lists.
- ANI / India Today / Rediff Sports: Smriti Mandhana Match Coverage and Post-Match Statements.
