Mandhana becomes all-time leading women’s run-scorer
India's Smriti Mandhana became the all-time leading run-scorer in women's international cricket after hitting a century against Hong Kong at the Women's Asia Cup in Dubai. The left-hander's innings pushed her past former India captain Mithali Raj's long-standing record, marking a landmark moment that Mandhana herself said she had "never imagined" achieving, given Raj's status as a role model and legend of the women's game.
Mandhana scored 124 from 64 balls as India posted 193-5 from their 20 overs, before bowling Hong Kong out for just 56 to seal a 137-run victory. The 30-year-old now has 10,880 international runs, ahead of Raj's 10,868, and the century was also her 18th in all formats, taking her past Australia's Meg Lanning for the most centuries in women's international cricket. Raj congratulated Mandhana on social media, while India, who top Group A, next face second-placed Pakistan at the same venue on Saturday.
In short
- Mandhana becomes women's cricket's all-time top run-scorer with 10,880 runs
- She scored 124 as India thrashed Hong Kong by 137 runs
- It was her record 18th international century, passing Meg Lanning
Explained simply
Women’s international cricket includes three formats: longer matches called Tests, 50-over one-day internationals and fast-paced 20-over T20s. Players’ runs across all three formats are added together to compare their career totals.
Smriti Mandhana is an Indian batter, while Mithali Raj, a former India captain, held the previous career record and is widely regarded as a leading figure in the women’s game. Meg Lanning is a former Australia captain who also set a high mark for international centuries.
Career records offer one way to measure achievement across different eras and formats. They also show the growing history and profile of women’s international cricket.