Record-Breaking Knock
Smriti Mandhana has etched her name in cricket history by becoming the all-time leading run-scorer in women's international cricket. The achievement came during India's Women's Asia Cup match against Hong Kong, where she smashed a record-breaking century, scoring 124 runs off just 64 deliveries. Her explosive innings powered India to a formidable total of 193-5 in their 20 overs, and they subsequently bowled out Hong Kong for a mere 56 runs, securing a commanding 137-run victory.[S1]
This remarkable innings took Mandhana's career runs across all three formats to 10,880, surpassing the previous record of 10,868 held by former India captain Mithali Raj. Additionally, her century was her 18th across formats, moving her past former Australia captain Meg Lanning for the most centuries in women's international cricket. The century included 14 fours and seven sixes, showcasing her aggressive yet elegant batting style.[S1]
Tributes from Legends
Mithali Raj, whose record Mandhana broke, took to social media to congratulate the new record holder. Raj expressed her pride in watching Mandhana grow from a young player into one of India's finest batters, and she celebrated the moment as a significant achievement for Indian cricket. Raj's message underscored the passing of the torch from one generation of cricketing greats to the next.[S1]
Mandhana herself acknowledged the influence of both Raj and Lanning, stating that she grew up watching them bat and has tried to incorporate elements of their game into her own. She expressed that surpassing such legends was something she had never imagined, calling it a very good day for Indian cricket. Mandhana made her India debut in 2013 and scored her maiden T20I century last year, becoming the first Indian batter to score a century in all formats.[S1]
What's Next
The 30-year-old opener could reach the 11,000-run milestone during the ongoing Asia Cup. India's next match is against Pakistan on Saturday, where Mandhana will have another opportunity to add to her tally. Her consistent performance and record-breaking feats have solidified her status as one of the greatest batters in women's cricket, and fans will be eagerly watching her future innings.[S1]
