Smriti Mandhana breaks Mithali Raj's record, becomes highest scorer in women's internationals

Star India batter Smriti Mandhana has etched her name in the history books with a sparkling century in Match 7 of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 on Thursday, September 3, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Mandhana slammed her second T20I hundred, playing a career-best innings of 124 (64), clobbering 14 fours and seven sixes.

During the course of her innings, the India opener scripted history, becoming the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket. She surpassed legendary India batter Mithali Raj’s tally of 10,868 runs, with a hat-trick of sixes against Ruchitha Venkatesh.

The southpaw was on a complete record-breaking spree as she also left behind Australia’s Meg Lanning (17) to register the most centuries in women’s international cricket, reaching the milestone 18^th time in her career. Her 124 is now also the highest individual score in the women’s T20 Asia Cup.

Mandhana scores century off 57 balls

Mandhana started her innings cautiously, scoring a run-a-ball 18, before taking on Maryam Bibi in the penultimate over of the powerplay, smashing her for three boundaries. Mandhana got involved in a massive 74-run stand off 48 balls for the opening wicket, alongside Shafali Verma (28 off 17).

She completed her half-century off 40 balls, smashing Iqra Sahar for a maximum over deep-backward square leg. After completing her fifty, Mandhana took only 17 more deliveries to score her next 50 runs, completing her hundred off 57 balls. Courtesy of her innings, India posted a humongous total of 193/5 in their allotted 20 overs.