Dubai, September 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana believes the true measure of her cricketing career will not be the records she breaks, but the number of young girls she inspires to pick up a bat and ball and dream of representing India.
Mandhana made history with a stunning 124 off 64 balls against Hong Kong China in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup on Thursday, surpassing former India captain Mithali Raj’s tally of 10,868 international runs to become the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket.
However, reflecting on her landmark performance, Mandhana said personal milestones have never been her primary focus.
“I always felt this is my job. I never thought of anything else than records and numbers and the amount of matches you win for India. That is a measure which you take back; you don’t take back how many runs or records you’ve broken,” Mandhana said in a video released by the BCCI.
The left-handed opener, who has also become the first Indian woman to score multiple T20I centuries, said she would take greater pride in inspiring the next generation.
“If anything of mine could inspire even like 10% girls to pick up a bat and ball and start playing cricket, I feel that would be something which I’ll always be proud and happy about,” she said.
Mandhana also expressed hope that more Indian batters would join her among women’s international cricket’s leading run-scorers.
“Hopefully there will be three-four more in the list of 10,000 from the Indian set-up,” she said, adding that having several Indian players among the top run-scorers would be a more meaningful measure of her career.
The 30-year-old admitted she never imagined overtaking Mithali Raj, whom she had watched and admired while growing up.
“I never in my dreams ever imagined that I would get 10,000 and go past her,” Mandhana said.
Despite her achievements, Mandhana stressed that there is always room for improvement. She pointed to her efforts to develop her six-hitting ability, an aspect that was evident against Hong Kong China, when she struck seven sixes.
Her 124, which included 14 fours and seven sixes, was the highest individual score in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history, surpassing Chamari Athapaththu’s unbeaten 119 against Malaysia in 2024.
The innings was Mandhana’s 18th international century, taking her past Meg Lanning and Laura Wolvaardt for the most centuries across formats in women’s international cricket.
Mandhana’s knock helped India post 193/5 in 20 overs. Hong Kong China were bowled out for 56, giving India a 137-run victory.
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