India opener Smriti Mandhana produced a historic batting performance in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup, scoring a spectacular 124 off 64 balls against Hong Kong-China. Her innings helped India secure a commanding 137-run victory while also making her the leading run-scorer and century-maker in women’s international cricket, according to the source.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah congratulated Mandhana for her record-breaking achievement, praising her consistency, hard work and contribution to women’s cricket.
Mandhana’s 124 included 14 fours and seven sixes, helping India post 193/5 after Hong Kong-China chose to field.
Her century took her international career tally to 10,880 runs, moving her past former India captain Mithali Raj, whose career total stood at 10,868 runs.
Mandhana also reached her 18th international century across formats, moving ahead of Australia’s Meg Lanning for the most centuries in women’s international cricket.
Jay Shah congratulated Mandhana for becoming the highest run-scorer and leading century-maker in women’s international cricket.
He described her journey as an example of elegance, consistency and hard work, while highlighting her influence on aspiring young cricketers in India and around the world.
The achievement adds another major milestone to Mandhana’s international career.
India’s batting effort was followed by an impressive bowling performance.
After reaching 193/5, India dismissed Hong Kong-China for just 56, completing a comprehensive 137-run victory.
The result underlined India’s strong all-round performance in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup.
Mandhana opened the innings alongside Shafali Verma, with the pair providing India with a strong start.
Shafali scored 28 before being dismissed in the eighth over, while Pratika Rawal contributed 10. Mandhana continued to anchor the innings before accelerating during the closing stages.
She brought up her half-century from 41 balls and then shifted gears, using back-foot strokes and lofted shots to attack the bowling.
Mandhana reached her century from 58 balls and became the first Indian women’s batter to score two T20I centuries.
Mandhana’s final score of 124 also became the highest individual score in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history, surpassing Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu’s unbeaten 119 against Malaysia in 2024, according to the source.
She was eventually run out on the penultimate delivery after a mix-up with Bharti Fulmali.
Richa Ghosh scored 11, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur made 10 as India finished with 193/5.
Despite Mandhana’s outstanding contribution, India’s middle order produced only 34 runs.
The performance highlighted the importance of greater contributions from the middle order as India progresses through the tournament. Mandhana’s innings provided the foundation for India’s huge total, while the bowlers completed the victory with a dominant display.
