Smriti Mandhana shattered records in Dubai with a 64-ball 124 against Hong Kong, surpassing Mithali Raj's career run tally and claiming the record for the most centuries in women's international cricket.
Indian batter Smriti Mandhana created history on Thursday, September 3, 2026, becoming the all-time leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket during India's Asia Cup match against Hong Kong in Dubai.
Mandhana eclipsed former skipper Mithali Raj’s career mark of 10,868 runs during a whirlwind innings of 124 off just 64 balls. The knock marked her 18th international century, breaking the world record for the most hundreds in women's cricket. The 30-year-old moved past former Australian captain Meg Lanning, who retired at 31 with 17 centuries, as well as South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt, who also has 17.
Mandhana's elite mindset was forged early in her life. Speaking to The Hindu seven years ago in Jaipur, she revealed how her mother taught her to stay focused on the summit. "She always used to ask me to persevere, in whatever I did, and not to leave in the middle but to go on till reaching the top," Mandhana said, adding even back then that she aimed to be the best batter in the world.
Her aesthetic, fluid style has drawn praise across the global game, earning comparisons to past left-handed greats like David Gower and Sourav Ganguly. Around seven years ago, former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris notably declared that the gap between Mandhana and the next batter in women’s cricket was "the size of Mumbai." Now, with 18 centuries and the overall run record under her belt, Mandhana continues to solidify that legacy.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Sport. Photo courtesy The Hindu Sport.