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Smriti Mandhana has created history by surpassing legendary India batter Mithali Raj to become the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket across all three formats. The landmark came during India’s Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Group A match against Hong Kong at the Dubai International Stadium.
Mandhana produced a spectacular innings of 124 from 64 balls, including 14 fours and seven sixes, to move beyond Mithali’s previous record of 10,868 international runs. Mandhana finished the match with 10,880 international runs, according to the latest statistics.
The achievement marks another major milestone in the career of the India vice-captain and places her at the top of the all-time women’s international run-scoring charts.
Mandhana Breaks Mithali Raj’s Long-Standing Record
Mithali Raj had been the benchmark for batting excellence in women’s international cricket for years.
The former India captain accumulated 10,868 runs across Tests, ODIs and T20Is during an international career that ran from 1999 to 2022.
Mandhana, who made her India debut in 2013, needed only 302 international matches to move past that tally. She eventually reached 10,880 runs after her record-breaking century against Hong Kong.
The milestone is particularly significant because Mandhana has achieved it while playing across three formats during an era in which women’s cricket has experienced rapid global growth.
A Record-Breaking 124 Against Hong Kong
Mandhana did not merely break the record by accumulating a few runs. She produced one of the most memorable innings of her international career.
The left-handed opener smashed 124 runs from 64 deliveries, striking 14 boundaries and seven sixes. Her strike rate was close to 194, underlining the aggressive nature of her performance.
Her innings helped India post 193/5 before the bowlers completed a convincing victory over Hong Kong.
The result also secured India’s place in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 semi-finals, making Mandhana’s individual achievement part of an important team performance.
Mandhana Also Becomes the Leading Century-Maker
Mandhana’s record-breaking performance produced another historic achievement.
The century was her 18th in women’s international cricket, taking her past former Australia captain Meg Lanning and South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt to become the leading century-maker across the three international formats.
Her international statistics now stand at:
- International runs: 10,880
- International matches: 302
- Tests: 788 runs
- ODIs: 5,411 runs
- T20Is: 4,681 runs
- International centuries: 18
The figures underline the consistency and longevity that have defined Mandhana’s career.
From Mithali Raj’s Inspiration to Breaking Her Record
There is an especially meaningful element to Mandhana’s achievement: Mithali Raj was one of the players who inspired her career.
Mandhana has previously spoken about Raj’s influence, making the transition from admirer to record-holder particularly significant.
After Mandhana broke the record, Mithali congratulated her former India teammate and praised her growth as a cricketer.
Mandhana, meanwhile, said she had never imagined surpassing the record held by her role model.
The moment therefore represents not only a statistical achievement but also a generational transition in Indian women’s cricket.
Mandhana’s Rise Has Been Built Across Three Formats
One of the defining features of Mandhana’s record is her ability to contribute across Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
Her aggressive strokeplay has made her one of the most recognizable opening batters in women’s cricket, while her ability to adapt to different formats has helped her accumulate runs at an exceptional rate.
Her current international tally includes more than 5,400 ODI runs and 4,600 T20I runs, while she has also contributed nearly 800 runs in Test cricket.
That balance is important because Mithali Raj’s career was built primarily around Test and ODI cricket during an era when women’s T20 internationals were still developing.
Mandhana’s record consequently reflects both her personal consistency and the evolution of the women’s international game.
A New Chapter for Indian Women’s Cricket
Mandhana taking the top spot on the international run charts represents another major milestone for Indian women’s cricket.
Mithali’s career established a benchmark for Indian batters, while Mandhana’s rise demonstrates the increasing depth and opportunities available to the next generation.
The record also comes at a time when women’s cricket has become increasingly prominent through major international tournaments and professional domestic leagues.
Mandhana’s success could further inspire young players in India and around the world to pursue cricket at the highest level.
More Than Just a Statistical Record
While becoming the leading run-scorer is a remarkable individual achievement, Mandhana has emphasized the broader impact she hopes to make.
The India vice-captain has said that inspiring young girls to take up cricket matters more to her than individual records.
That perspective adds another dimension to her latest milestone.
Records can eventually be broken, but the influence of a player who encourages more young athletes to enter the sport can extend well beyond statistics.
India’s Asia Cup Campaign Gets a Major Boost
Mandhana’s century also strengthened India’s campaign at the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup.
Her explosive batting gave India a commanding total against Hong Kong, while the bowlers ensured that the opposition could not mount a serious chase.
India subsequently became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament.
With the knockout stages approaching, Mandhana’s form could become increasingly important to India’s hopes of lifting the trophy.
The Next Target for Smriti Mandhana
Having moved to the top of the women’s international run-scoring list, Mandhana now has the opportunity to extend the record further.
At 10,880 runs, she has already created a significant gap over Mithali Raj’s 10,868. New Zealand’s Suzie Bates is next on the all-time list with 10,740 runs.
Mandhana’s record is therefore likely to continue evolving as she remains an active international player.
The gap could grow considerably if she maintains the consistency that has characterized her career over the past decade.
Smriti Mandhana has surpassed Mithali Raj to become the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket, reaching 10,880 runs across Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
She achieved the milestone in spectacular fashion, scoring 124 off 64 balls against Hong Kong in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026. The innings also gave Mandhana her 18th international century, making her the most prolific century-maker in women’s international cricket.
For Indian cricket, the moment represents the passing of the record from one legendary batter to another. Mithali Raj established the benchmark, and Mandhana has now taken it forward.
With her career still ongoing, the new record could become an even more imposing mark in the years ahead.
