Smriti Mandhana has rewritten the record books in women’s international cricket, surpassing Mithali Raj’s long-standing tally of 10,868 runs to become the highest run-scorer across formats. The milestone came on September 3, 2026, during India’s Women’s Asia Cup match against Hong Kong at the Dubai International Stadium, where Mandhana produced a spectacular 124 off 64 balls. Her innings took her international career tally to 10,880 runs, 12 ahead of Raj’s previous benchmark.
Mandhana’s knock included 14 fours and seven sixes and helped India post 193/5 before bowling Hong Kong out for just 56, securing a 137-run victory and becoming the first team to qualify for the semi-finals. The innings also took Mandhana to 18 international centuries, moving her past former Australia captain Meg Lanning. Raj publicly congratulated Mandhana, describing herself as “genuinely proud” to see the younger batter surpass a record she had held for years.
Historic Knock
The record-breaking innings was a statement of both skill and consistency. Mandhana initially had to negotiate a challenging start before shifting gears and taking control of the match. Her 124 came from only 64 deliveries, with 14 boundaries and seven sixes, giving India the momentum needed to post a formidable total.
Mandhana crossed Raj’s 10,868-run mark during the 18th over, when she struck three sixes and moved into the top position. By the time her innings ended, she had reached 10,880 international runs across Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
The performance also produced another significant milestone. Mandhana’s century was her 18th in international cricket, putting her ahead of Lanning’s previous tally of 17. She also became the first Indian woman to register two T20I centuries.
𝙄𝘾𝙊𝙉𝙄𝘾 💯🤌
— ICC (@ICC) September 3, 2026
Smriti Mandhana, take a bow 🫡
More here ➡️ https://t.co/4tVWAUgmyf pic.twitter.com/88V3pyg57s
Records Keep Falling
Mandhana’s latest achievement follows a rapid rise up the international run-scoring charts. Just days before surpassing Raj, she had overtaken New Zealand’s Suzie Bates to become the second-highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket.
That left Raj’s 10,868 runs as the final barrier between Mandhana and the top position. Raj accumulated those runs over an extraordinary international career that began in 1999 and ended with her retirement in 2022. Her record had subsequently stood as one of the defining statistical benchmarks in women’s cricket.
Mandhana’s achievement is particularly striking because she has reached the mark while still an active international player. With more cricket ahead of her, the 10,880-run tally is likely to increase, potentially allowing her to extend the record further.
Raj Passes Torch
While the numbers tell one part of the story, Raj’s response added an important human dimension to the achievement. Rather than treating the record as something lost, the former India captain celebrated the player who had surpassed it.
Raj congratulated Mandhana and said she was “genuinely proud” to see the batter she had watched develop into “one of the finest batters India has produced”. Her reaction underlined the continuity between two generations of Indian women’s cricket.
Mandhana, meanwhile, revealed that she was not focused on the record while batting. She said she did not know which particular record she had broken during the innings, highlighting how the landmark emerged from her focus on contributing to the team rather than chasing individual milestones.
𝙃𝙀𝙍-𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙍𝙔 𝙈𝘼𝘿𝙀 👸
— ICC (@ICC) September 3, 2026
Smriti Mandhana is now the all-time leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket 👏
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India Seal Victory
Mandhana’s record-breaking performance ultimately formed part of a dominant team display. India’s 193/5 gave their bowlers a substantial total to defend, and they responded by dismissing Hong Kong for 56 in 16.2 overs.
India’s 137-run victory not only strengthened their campaign but also made them the first team to qualify for the Women’s Asia Cup semi-finals. The result therefore combined individual history with an important tournament achievement for the team.
For Mandhana, the night brought several milestones at once: the highest run tally in women’s international cricket, a record 18 international centuries and the highest individual score in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Mandhana’s achievement is bigger than one player overtaking another on a statistical list. It represents the natural progression of women’s cricket, where the achievements of one generation create benchmarks for the next to challenge. Mithali Raj’s record reflected extraordinary longevity and helped shape the standards of Indian women’s cricket; Mandhana has now carried that legacy forward in her own way.
The gracious exchange between the two batters is perhaps the most powerful part of the story. There was no sense of rivalry or resentment, only recognition, respect and pride. In sport, records may change hands, but the journeys that create them become part of a shared legacy.
As Mandhana continues her career, how far do you think she can push the record, and which young player might one day challenge the mark she has now set?
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