Kolkata : Smriti Mandhana produced a breathtaking display of power-hitting to script a new world record as India Women posted a formidable 193/5 against Hong Kong in their Women’s Asia Cup 2026 clash in Dubai on Thursday.
Mandhana became the leading century-maker in women’s international cricket, moving to 18 centuries and surpassing former Australia captain Meg Lanning’s record of 17. South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt also has 17 international hundreds, while Hayley Matthews has 15.
Most 100s in Women’s International Cricket –
18 – Smriti Mandhana
17 – Meg Lanning
17 – Laura Wolvaardt
15 – Hayley Matthews
14 – Suzie Bates
14 – Tammy Beaumont
Asked to bat first after Hong Kong won the toss, India got off to a flying start with Mandhana and Shafali Verma putting the opposition bowlers under pressure. Verma struck 28 off 17 balls before her dismissal brought Hong Kong back into the contest.
However, Mandhana remained unfazed as wickets continued to tumble at the other end. She reached her half-century from 40 balls but shifted gears dramatically after reaching the landmark, turning the innings into a one-woman assault.
The India vice-captain raced from 50 to 100 in just 17 balls, bringing up her century in only 57 deliveries. She continued attacking until the final delivery of the innings, finishing with a spectacular 124 off 64 balls, including 14 fours and seven sixes, at a staggering strike rate of 193.75.
Mandhana’s innings also saw her rewrite the record books for the highest individual score in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history.
Highest individual scores in Women’s T20 Asia Cup
124 – Smriti Mandhana (IND-W) vs HKG-W, Dubai, 2026
119 – Chamari Athapaththu (SL-W) vs MAS-W, Dambulla, 2024*
97 – Mithali Raj (IND-W) vs MAS-W, Kuala Lumpur, 2018*
81 – Harshitha Samarawickrama (SL-W) vs THA-W, Sylhet, 2022
81 – Shafali Verma (IND-W) vs NEP-W, Dambulla, 2024
Mandhana’s innings came to an unfortunate end in the final over. Looking to steal a single after Bharti Fulmali sliced a yorker towards point, Mandhana set off but was never in the frame when the throw came in. Iqra Sahar’s direct throw to the striker’s end caught her well short, bringing a spectacular innings to a disappointing conclusion.
Despite the late run-out, Mandhana had already done enough damage to put India in a commanding position. Her 124 accounted for nearly two-thirds of India’s total and ensured India finished with 193/5 from their 20 overs, leaving Hong Kong a daunting target of 194.
Shafali Verma’s 28 off 17 provided India with the early impetus, while Richa Ghosh (11), Harmanpreet Kaur (10) and Deepti Sharma (1*) contributed around Mandhana’s record-breaking effort. For Hong Kong, Marina Lamplough was the standout bowler, claiming 2/46, while Joyleen Kaur, Ruchitha Venkatesh and Iqra Sahar picked up one wicket each.
Defending the target of 194, Indian spinner Deepti Sharma picked 3 wickets while Nandani Sharma, Shree Charani, Prema Rawat all grabbed 2 wickets each as India bundled out Hong Kong China on 56, winning by a massive 137 runs.
However, in her knock, Smriti touched yet another milestone that etched her name in history books. She surpassed former Indian legendary captain Mithali Raj as the batter with most runs in women’s international cricket. She now has amassed a staggering 10,880 runs in all three formats combined. The previous record held by Mithali stood at 10,868 runs.
Most runs in Women’s International –
10880 – Smriti Mandhana
10868 – Mithali Raj
10740 – Suzie Bates
10273 – Charlotte Edwards
10007 – Stephanie Taylor.
Full list of records broken by Smriti Mandhana after her century against Hong Kong:
Most centuries in women’s international cricket – 18
Most runs in women’s international cricket – 10880
First Indian to score multiple Women’s T20I hundreds
Highest score by an Indian in a Women’s T20I match – 124
Second batter to score hundred in Women’s T20 Asia Cup (after Chamari Athapaththu).
With the 137 runs win against Hong Kong and previously over Thailand by 94 runs, India have officially qualified for Semi Finals of Asia Cup 2026. India will next face Pakistan in their last Group stage clash on September 5 at Dubai.
