Smriti Mandhana produced another landmark performance for India, rewriting the record books during the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 match against Hong Kong in Dubai. The Indian opener smashed a sensational 124 off 64 balls, helping India reach 193/5 and, in the process, moved ahead of Australia’s Meg Lanning to become the leading century-maker in women’s international cricket.
Mandhana Surpasses Meg Lanning's Century Record
Mandhana’s century was her 18th in international cricket, taking her beyond Lanning’s previous benchmark of 17. The achievement is particularly significant because Lanning was widely regarded as one of the most prolific century-makers in women’s cricket before her retirement from international cricket.
Mandhana reached her hundred in just 57 balls, displaying a remarkable combination of timing, power and attacking intent. She eventually finished with 124 from 64 deliveries, including 14 fours and seven sixes.
The innings demonstrated how Mandhana has evolved from an elegant stroke-maker into one of the most destructive opening batters in the women's game.
A Record-Breaking Knock Against Hong Kong
India's Group A encounter against Hong Kong became much more than an ordinary Asia Cup fixture because Mandhana turned it into a personal record-breaking occasion.
Her 124-run innings provided the foundation for India's 193/5 total. The left-hander attacked from the outset, repeatedly finding gaps and clearing the boundary whenever Hong Kong's bowlers missed their lengths.
The strike rate of nearly 194 underlined the extraordinary nature of the innings. Rather than simply accumulating runs, Mandhana consistently put pressure on the opposition with aggressive strokeplay.
Mandhana Also Breaks Mithali Raj's Run Record
The century was only one part of Mandhana's historic evening.
During the same innings, she also overtook Mithali Raj's 10,868 international runs to become the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket across all formats. Mandhana reached the landmark in her 303rd international innings, moving ahead of both Raj and New Zealand's Suzie Bates.
That makes the performance especially significant: Mandhana did not merely break one record but simultaneously established herself at the top of two of women's cricket's most prestigious statistical lists.
A New Benchmark For Women's Cricket
Mandhana's achievement reflects her extraordinary consistency across international formats.
Her 18 international centuries now place her ahead of some of the biggest names in the history of women's cricket. The record also highlights the changing nature of the women's game, where increasingly aggressive batting has become an important part of elite international cricket.
Her latest innings is particularly notable because it came in T20 cricket, a format in which scoring at high speed is essential. Scoring 124 from 64 balls while hitting 21 boundaries in total showed that Mandhana could combine longevity with explosive attacking cricket.
Partnership With Shafali Verma Adds To India's Strength
Mandhana's record-breaking performance also underlined the importance of India's opening combination.
Her partnership with Shafali Verma provided India with a powerful start and demonstrated the contrasting styles available at the top of the order. Mandhana's classical left-handed strokeplay combined with Verma's aggressive approach gives India the ability to attack bowling from the beginning.
Mandhana's performance also saw her equal another major milestone associated with Mithali Raj: the record for the most 50-plus scores in women's international cricket.
What Mandhana's Record Means For India
For Indian women's cricket, Mandhana's achievement represents more than an individual milestone.
Mithali Raj had dominated the international run-scoring charts for years, while Lanning established an extraordinary record for centuries. Mandhana has now moved beyond both benchmarks, creating a new statistical era for Indian women's cricket.
Her rise also comes at a significant time for the Indian team following its continued success across international and franchise cricket. Mandhana's performances have made her one of the central figures of India's batting lineup and one of the sport's most recognisable stars.
Mandhana's Legacy Continues To Grow
At just 30, Mandhana has already accumulated a collection of records that places her among the most accomplished players in women's cricket.
Her latest century against Hong Kong adds another chapter to that legacy. What makes the achievement remarkable is not simply the number of centuries, but the range of formats and situations in which she has produced them.
From technically polished ODI innings to explosive T20 performances, Mandhana has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to adapt her batting without losing her attacking identity.
The Hong Kong innings therefore stands as both a record-breaking performance and a statement of intent. With 18 international centuries and the highest aggregate of international runs in women's cricket, Smriti Mandhana has now moved into territory previously occupied by the game's greatest statistical giants.
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