In a remarkable display of skill and power, Smriti Mandhana etched her name in the record books during the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, held in Dubai. The Indian women's cricket team faced Hong Kong on Thursday, where Mandhana's stunning performance led India to a total of 193/5, solidifying her status as a cricketing legend.
With her innings of 124 runs off just 64 balls, Mandhana not only propelled India to a formidable score but also became the leading century-maker in women's international cricket, surpassing the previous record of 17 centuries held by former Australia captain Meg Lanning. This achievement marks Mandhana's 18th century, placing her ahead of Lanning and South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt, who also has 17 international hundreds. Hayley Matthews follows with 15 centuries, while Suzie Bates and Tammy Beaumont each have 14.
The match began with Hong Kong winning the toss and opting to bowl first. India started strong, with Mandhana and Shafali Verma aggressively targeting the Hong Kong bowlers. Verma contributed a brisk 28 runs off 17 balls before her dismissal, which momentarily shifted the momentum. However, Mandhana remained unfazed, showcasing her remarkable ability to adapt and dominate as wickets fell around her.
After reaching her half-century in 40 balls, Mandhana unleashed a flurry of runs, accelerating from 50 to 100 in just 17 balls. Her century came off a mere 57 deliveries, underlining her extraordinary batting prowess. Throughout her innings, she struck 14 fours and seven sixes, achieving a staggering strike rate of 193.75. This performance not only secured her place in the record books but also set a new benchmark for the highest individual score in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history.
Mandhana's innings concluded in an unfortunate manner during the final over when she attempted a quick single after Bharti Fulmali hit a yorker towards point. A direct throw from Iqra Sahar caught her short of her ground, ending her spectacular innings. Nevertheless, her contribution was monumental, accounting for nearly two-thirds of India's total score, which left Hong Kong with a daunting target of 194 runs to chase.
Aside from Mandhana, contributions from Richa Ghosh (11 runs), Harmanpreet Kaur (10 runs), and Deepti Sharma (1 not out) helped build the total, but it was Mandhana's record-breaking performance that dominated the headlines. For Hong Kong, Marina Lamplough emerged as the standout bowler, claiming 2 wickets for 46 runs, while Joyleen Kaur, Ruchitha Venkatesh, and Iqra Sahar each took one wicket.
As the tournament progresses, Mandhana's record-breaking feat not only highlights her talent but also raises the profile of women's cricket on the international stage. Her achievement serves as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers and a testament to the growing competitiveness of women's cricket globally.
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