Smriti Mandhana did not produce one of her trademark match-defining innings against Thailand, yet a 19-run cameo was enough to move her into second place on the all-time list of women’s international run-scorers. For India’s vice-captain, the bigger story now is not what she has already achieved, but how close she is to rewriting the record held by Mithali Raj.
Smriti Mandhana becomes second-highest run-scorer in women’s cricket, inches closer to Mithali Raj’s record. Smriti Mandhana’s 19-run contribution may have been modest by her standards, but its significance was anything but. The India opener became the second-highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket during India’s Women’s Asia Cup 2026 opener against Thailand in Dubai on Sunday, overtaking New Zealand great Suzie Bates.
Mandhana struck four boundaries in her 10-ball stay at the crease before being run out while attempting a second run. Her first boundary of the innings took her international tally to 10,756 runs, moving her beyond Bates’ 10,740 and leaving her second only to former India captain Mithali Raj. The numbers underline the scale of Mandhana’s achievement. She has now accumulated 10,756 runs across 302 international innings, with her record spread across Tests, ODIs and T20Is. Mithali remains at the summit with 10,868 runs, meaning Mandhana is just 112 runs away from taking over the most runs in women’s international cricket record.
That chase gives the Asia Cup an added subplot for India. Mandhana entered the tournament already established as one of the defining batters of her generation, but the possibility of surpassing Mithali adds another layer to her campaign. The record is particularly significant because Mithali’s career set the benchmark for consistency and longevity in women’s cricket, and Mandhana is now within touching distance of it.
The milestone also came during a match in which Mandhana’s personal contribution was overshadowed by India’s collective performance. Shafali Verma provided the fireworks with a 64 off 36 balls, while India recovered from a late batting collapse to post 159 for nine. Thailand were subsequently bowled out for just 65, handing India a commanding 94-run victory in their opening match. Deepti Sharma was another headline-maker, claiming three wickets without conceding a run and becoming the leading wicket-taker in women’s T20I cricket. Nandani Sharma also picked up three wickets as India’s bowling attack dismantled Thailand’s chase.
Mandhana’s achievement, however, remains the most enduring individual statistic from India’s opening night. Her move past Bates also reshapes a leaderboard that features some of the most influential names in women’s cricket. Bates, now third with 10,740 runs, is followed by England’s Charlotte Edwards on 10,273 and West Indies great Stafanie Taylor on 10,007.
The timing could hardly be more intriguing. India are entering a crucial phase of their campaign after a difficult period that included a group-stage exit from the T20 World Cup, and the Asia Cup offers the team an opportunity to rebuild momentum. India are among the tournament’s most successful sides and have historically dominated the competition.
For Mandhana, the immediate target is no longer simply another good innings. It is history. Just 112 runs separate her from Mithali Raj’s record. And with the Asia Cup still in its early stages, the possibility of seeing one of Indian cricket’s most recognisable batters become the leading run-scorer in women’s international history is rapidly becoming a reality.
