Smriti Mandhana Surpasses Mithali Raj’s Run Record

Smriti Mandhana has etched her name in cricket history by surpassing Mithali Raj, becoming the leading run-getter in Women’s Internationals during a match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday. With a total of 10,880 runs, Mandhana surpassed Raj’s remarkable tally of 10,868 runs, a feat she once considered unimaginable.

Mandhana expressed her admiration for Raj, stating, “She has been such a legend and a role model. We’ve all grown up watching her bat.” This milestone comes as Mandhana reflects on her journey in international cricket, which significantly unfolded under Mithali’s captaincy.

The historic moment unfolded as she played a vital inning, leading India to a commanding score of 193 for 5 in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup. Hong Kong fell drastically short, losing all their wickets for just 56 runs. This match marked India’s second-biggest win by runs in women’s T20s.

During her record-breaking performance, Mandhana also surpassed the highest individual score in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup, setting a new benchmark by outperforming Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu’s previous record of 119 runs against Malaysia in the 2024 edition.

Reflecting on her performance, Mandhana said, “Going past the international record of centuries, achieving 18 centuries is a good number.” This marks her achievement of becoming the leading scorer with 18 centuries in women’s international cricket, outpacing the Australian legend Meg Lanning, who has 17 centuries.

Despite her individual achievements, Mandhana addressed concerns regarding India’s middle-order performance, which struggled in opening matches of the tournament. Remaining optimistic, she praised her teammates, stating, “Everyone is a world-class batter in the middle order … they will adapt to the tricky conditions.”

The conditions in Dubai proved to be a challenge. Mandhana described batting in the heat as physically demanding, noting, “It did feel like a steam box today … Dubai’s heat and humidity can make batting tough. I was lucky I got a few fours and sixes, which helped.”

As the tournament progresses, Smriti Mandhana’s achievements not only honor her personal growth but also highlight the evolving landscape of women’s cricket in India. With her exemplary performance and dedicated spirit, she has become a beacon for aspiring cricketers across the nation.