Cricket / Asian Games 2026: Smriti Mandhana Tops All‑Time T20I Run Charts

Nisshin, Sep 20: Smriti Mandhana has scaled yet another peak in her glittering career, becoming the highest run‑scorer in T20I cricket across both men’s and women’s formats with a record‑breaking knock against Bangladesh in the Asian Games semifinal.

The milestone came during India’s Asian Games semifinal clash against Bangladesh at Korogi Sports Park, where Mandhana struck a brisk 19-ball 37.

Entering the match with 4,751 runs from 170 innings, she needed just eight runs to surpass former New Zealand star Suzie Bates. Mandhana achieved the feat early in her innings, hitting two boundaries and two singles in her first seven deliveries.

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She now sits atop the all‑time list with 4,788 runs in 171 innings, ahead of Bates (4,758), Pakistan’s Babar Azam (4,596), England’s Jos Buttler (4,292), and India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (4,287).

Mandhana’s achievement further widens the gap between the women’s game and men’s leaders in T20Is. It also adds to her recent record‑breaking spree.

During the Asia Cup, she became the highest run‑scorer in women’s international cricket, overtaking Mithali Raj’s tally of 10,868 runs.

Her century against Hong Kong not only sealed that record but also marked her 18th international hundred, surpassing Meg Lanning before South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt later equalled the mark.

India, defending their gold medal from the 2023 Hangzhou Games, opted to bat first in the semifinal against Bangladesh.

Mandhana’s fluent cameo provided early momentum as the Women in Blue chase another podium finish, reinforcing her stature as one of the most prolific batters in modern cricket.

(IANS)