Smriti Mandhana’s in a league of her own

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Smriti Mandhana’s in a league of her ownThe 30-year-old also has the most hundreds (18) in women’s internationals, surpassing Australia legend Meg Lanning and South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt, who have aggregated 17 each.Last Updated05 September 2026, 08:30
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Smriti Mandhana is now the top run-scorer in women’s cricket with 10,880 runs going past her former team-mate Mithali Raj. X

Bengaluru: An insatiable appetite to bat, and bat long, has been the fuel to fire Smriti Mandhana’s cricket dreams. More than a decade into her career, India’s vice-captain continues to find new batting peaks, set benchmarks and write record-breaking chapters. After 302 international matches, she’s certainly in no mood to slow down. 

The screen doesn’t lie

The screen doesn’t lie. With a ruthless display of professionalism and style, Mandhana effortlessly dispatched Hong Kong with a brilliant 64-ball 124, lacing it with 14 fours and seven sixes at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium to help India register their second win and also seal a semifinal spot in the Asia Cup on Thursday.

The paper doesn’t lie either. Mandhana (10,880 runs) is now the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket, going past Mithali Raj (10,868), who played an influential role in shaping the women’s game in India. 

The 30-year-old also has the most hundreds (18) in women’s internationals, surpassing Australia legend Meg Lanning and South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt, who have aggregated 17 each.  

Mandhana’s 124 on Thursday is the highest individual

Mandhana’s 124 on Thursday is the highest individual score for India in women’s T20Is, and the Maharashtra-born batter is the only Indian woman to score two T20I hundreds. 

The crux of T20 batting in the modern day and age is hard-hitting, and sure, it has its pros. And a number of Smriti’s colleagues have a certain kind of savagery in their style of play. Smriti, though, is all class, and kills opponents with her smile and grace. 

In 2025, Smriti scored 1362 runs in ODIs, comfortably a mile ahead in the leaderboard race. It also drove India to their first-ever ODI World Cup win. In 2026, in the lead-up to the Asian Games and inaugural ICC Champions Trophy, she’s averaging 38.60 at 145.84 in T20Is. 

Smriti was certainly precocious

Smriti was certainly precocious. But it was not that ability that stood out in the beginning. It is something more difficult to adapt and practice: discipline and humility. And that continues to influence her game.  

Despite all her international and franchise cricket accolades, Mandhana has tirelessly sought ways to elevate her skill, fine-tuning her six-hitting abilities to match the fluctuating numbers of T20 cricket. 

Mandhana scored seven maximums against Hong Kong, including three in the 18th over. She is now India’s leading six-hitter in T20Is, moving past her captain Harmanpreet Kaur. 

I don’t think one can ever feel complete

“I don’t think one can ever feel complete as a batter or a bowler, and if you feel that, cricket will always show you that you are not. There’s so much more to improve. I’ve been constantly trying to improve my six-hitting abilities,” Smriti said in a video posted by the Indian cricket team.

In a journey that’s not been all sunshine and rainbows on and off the field, Mandhana had a simple yet strong message on her special night. She’s hungry for more.

“I never in my dreams, ever imagined I would get 10,000 runs or go past her (Mithali Raj). However, I’m just 30, and there are so many years left in me.”

The smile, grit and reliability has largely summed up Smriti so far. Now her record-breaking abilities are chipping in too. 

Source: www.deccanherald.com