Smriti Mandhana Achieves Record Breaking Milestone in Women's Cricket

Smriti Mandhana has become the highest run scorer in women’s international cricket, surpassing the previous record held by Mithali Raj. On September 3, 2026, during India’s Group A match against Hong Kong, China, in the Women’s Asia Cup, Mandhana hit 124 runs off 64 balls, helping India secure a 137 run victory. With this innings, she accumulated a total of 10,880 runs across all formats, overtaking Raj's 10,868 runs.

This achievement came in her 303rd international innings, establishing her not only as the leading run scorer but also as the fastest woman to reach 10,000 international runs, in just 280 innings, according to indianexpress.com . Alongside this landmark, Mandhana surpassed Meg Lanning's record for the most international centuries by registering her 18th century across formats, as reported by icc-cricket.com .

Context and Career Highlights

Consistent performances across all formats have marked Mandhana's career. She is the first Indian woman to achieve centuries in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Earlier in 2026, during the Women’s T20 World Cup, she scored 205 runs at a strike rate of 140.41, further cementing her role as a key player in international cricket.

In the 2026 Women's Premier League (WPL), Mandhana emerged as the top run scorer with 377 runs for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Her influence extends beyond the field as she was named in TIME magazine's "The 100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026" list.

Comparison with Mithali Raj

Mithali Raj, the former record holder, is renowned for her technical proficiency and consistency. With over 7,800 ODI runs and a batting average of 50, Raj was the backbone of Indian women's cricket for over two decades. Her leadership led India to the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup final.

While Raj’s career was characterized by consistency and longevity, Mandhana brings an aggressive style and dynamic presence, which are the hallmarks of the new generation of cricketers. Her achievements continue to inspire both her peers and young cricketers globally.

Influence and Future Prospects

Alongside Smriti Mandhana, key players like Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning, and Sophie Devine are shaping the landscape of women's international cricket, continuing to set benchmarks for performance and leadership.

As Mandhana continues her career, she is expected to break more records and further solidify her status as a leader in women's cricket. Smriti Mandhana's achievements reflect her dedication and skill while also highlighting the growing prominence of women's cricket worldwide.