Team India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has scripted history by becoming the highest run-scorer in women’s T20I cricket on Sunday, September 20. Mandhana surpassed New Zealand legend Suzie Bates during India’s semifinal clash against Bangladesh at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan.
India won the toss and elected to bat first at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. The Women in Blue entered the semifinal with an unchanged playing XI from their previous match, while Bangladesh fielded their strongest XI after their quarter-final was washed out without a ball being bowled due to rain.
Smriti Mandhana Becomes Women’s T20I Cricket’s Leading Run-Scorer
Smriti Mandhana needed eight runs to move past Bates’ tally of 4,758. He reached the landmark in the third over by hitting a boundary off Bangladesh pacer Marufa Akter. The milestone came in her 171st innings in the shorter international format.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu are also among the top four, while New Zealand’s Sophie Devine and Australia’s Beth Mooney complete the top six.
The India opener did not feature in the quarter-final against Japan after India advanced without Mandhana taking the field. She returned for the semifinal and needed only a few deliveries to add another major record to her career.
Most Runs in Women’s T20Is:
| Player | Team | Inns | Runs | Highest | Avg. | SR | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | India | 171 | 4,759* | 124 | 30.65 | 126.55 | 2/36 |
| Suzie Bates | New Zealand | 178 | 4,758 | 124* | 28.83 | 108.61 | 2/8 |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | India | 186 | 4,287 | 103 | 30.19 | 110.46 | 1/18 |
| Chamari Athapaththu | Sri Lanka | 169 | 4,282 | 119* | 27.10 | 114.89 | 4/16 |
| Sophie Devine | New Zealand | 154 | 3,817 | 105 | 28.69 | 123.20 | 1/24 |
| Beth Mooney | Australia | 119 | 3,783 | 117* | 41.57 | 126.47 | 2/31 |
Mandhana has also produced the most 50-plus scores in women’s T20I cricket, with two centuries and 36 half-centuries. She is also India’s leading six-hitter in the format, with 100 sixes, becoming the first Indian woman to reach the milestone.
Mandhana’s quickfire knock came to an end on the final ball of the powerplay. She attempted a slog-sweep against Nahida Akter but failed to make a clean connection, with Sobhana Mostary completing the catch at deep mid-wicket.
Mandhana departed for 37 off just 19 balls, including five fours and two sixes, at a strike rate of 194.74. Bangladesh finally found the breakthrough after being put under pressure by India’s strong start.
Smriti Mandhana's Another Record to Remarkable Career
During the Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai earlier this month, Smriti Mandhana overtook former India captain Mithali Raj’s tally of 10,868 international runs. Mandhana reached the milestone in her 303rd international innings after smashing 124 off 64 balls against Hong Kong.
She also took her international century tally to 18, moving her past former Australia captain Meg Lanning’s 17 centuries. The southpaw later added another record during the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka, registering her 94th 50-plus score in women’s international cricket.
Mandhana also became the fastest woman to reach 10,000 international runs, achieving the feat in 280 innings. The 30-year-old has now scored centuries in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve the feat.
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