Dubai, September 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has revealed how a light-hearted pre-match conversation with injured teammate Jemimah Rodrigues helped ease her nerves before she produced a record-breaking century against Hong Kong China in the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup.
Mandhana smashed 124 off 64 balls at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium to power India to a commanding 137-run victory over Hong Kong China. The win also secured India’s place in the semi-finals.
Her explosive innings saw Mandhana become the leading century-maker in women’s international cricket with 18 hundreds, moving past former Australia captain Meg Lanning. She also overtook Mithali Raj to become the all-time leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket.
Speaking in a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday, Mandhana recalled a video call with Rodrigues on the eve of the match.
Mandhana said Rodrigues, who is affectionately known alongside her as one of the “Wrong Sisters” by fans, wished her luck but also jokingly warned that the match would be challenging.
“She was like, ‘This is going to be an extremely tough match.’ Knowing me and my batting, she was like, ‘I know it’s going to be an extremely tough match, let’s see how much runs you get,’” Mandhana recalled.
Mandhana admitted that she too was feeling nervous ahead of the game, particularly because of the uncertainty surrounding the opposition bowlers.
“I’m also very stressed and nervous because again, when you know the oppositions and the bowlers, and when you don’t know the bowlers, I mean it’s sometimes like that uncertainty about what they are going to bowl at you,” she said.
Mandhana added that Rodrigues had been teasing her before the match and joked that, after her century, she had got the chance to return the favour.
“She was taking a case and today I think I can take her case, but we all do miss her,” Mandhana said.
Rodrigues has been ruled out of the ongoing continental tournament after suffering a hamstring injury while playing in The Hundred in England. Despite her absence from the squad, her close bond with Mandhana has continued to draw attention among Indian cricket fans.
Mandhana’s Player of the Match-winning performance helped India, the seven-time Women’s Asia Cup champions, maintain their strong campaign in the tournament.
India will now face arch-rivals Pakistan in their final Group A match on Saturday.
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