Smriti Mandhana Becomes Highest Run-Scorer in Women’s T20I History
Indian women’s cricket team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has created history by becoming the highest run-scorer in Women’s T20 Internationals, surpassing New Zealand great Suzie Bates during India’s Asian Games 2026 semifinal against Bangladesh.
Mandhana entered the match needing only seven runs to move past Bates’ previous record of 4,758 T20I runs. She reached the landmark early in India’s innings and went on to score 37 runs from 19 deliveries, including five fours and two sixes.
The achievement adds another major record to Mandhana’s already remarkable international career.
Smriti Mandhana Surpasses Suzie Bates’ Record
Before the Asian Games semifinal, New Zealand’s Suzie Bates held the record for the most runs in Women’s T20Is with 4,758 runs.
Mandhana needed just seven runs to overtake that tally. She reached the mark during the third over against Bangladesh, moving to the top of the all-time Women’s T20I run-scoring charts.
Mandhana ultimately finished her innings with 37 runs off 19 balls, taking her career T20I tally to 4,788 runs according to the ICC’s record listing after the match.
Her achievement came in her 178th T20I, highlighting the consistency she has maintained throughout her international career.
Mandhana’s Record-Breaking Innings Against Bangladesh
The record came during a crucial Asian Games semifinal in Nagoya, Japan.
India faced Bangladesh with a place in the women’s cricket final at stake. Mandhana opened the innings and immediately attacked the Bangladesh bowling attack.
Her 37-run contribution came from just 19 deliveries, with five boundaries and two sixes. Although she was dismissed before reaching a half-century, her early scoring was enough to take her past Bates’ long-standing record.
Mandhana’s record was part of an impressive team performance, with Shafali Verma scoring an unbeaten 100 from 49 balls as India posted 195/4 before bowling Bangladesh out for 81.
India eventually won the semifinal by 114 runs and advanced to the gold-medal match.
Women’s T20I Highest Run-Scorers
Following Mandhana’s record-breaking performance, the leading Women’s T20I run-scorers included:
| Rank | Player | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smriti Mandhana | 4,788 |
| 2 | Suzie Bates | 4,758 |
| 3 | Harmanpreet Kaur | 4,327 |
| 4 | Chamari Athapaththu | 4,282 |
| 5 | Sophie Devine | 3,817 |
The figures reported by the ICC place Mandhana at the top of the list, ahead of Bates, with India’s Harmanpreet Kaur in third position.
Another Major Record for Smriti Mandhana
The Women’s T20I record is the latest in a series of major milestones achieved by Mandhana in 2026.
Earlier in September, she also became the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket across all formats, surpassing former India captain Mithali Raj’s previous record of 10,868 runs.
Mandhana achieved that milestone during India’s Women’s Asia Cup match against Hong Kong, China, after scoring a spectacular 124 from 64 balls.
That innings also took her past another significant mark, as she became the leading century-maker in women’s international cricket at the time.
Mandhana’s Rise Across International Cricket
Mandhana made her India debut in 2013 and has since become one of the country’s most prominent batters across formats.
Her career has included significant achievements in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. The left-handed opener has established herself as a regular presence at the top of India’s batting order and has played a major role in the team’s campaigns across international competitions.
The ICC noted after her recent milestones that Mandhana has continued to build her record across formats, including becoming the all-time leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket.
Mandhana’s T20I Consistency
The significance of the record goes beyond the total number of runs.
T20 cricket requires batters to score quickly while maintaining consistency across relatively short innings. Mandhana’s ability to combine aggressive stroke play with sustained run production has allowed her to accumulate one of the highest career totals in the format.
Her record also reflects the longevity of her T20I career, which began more than a decade ago.
By moving past Bates, Mandhana has now become the benchmark for career runs in Women’s T20Is.
Suzie Bates’ Legacy in Women’s T20Is
Suzie Bates had held the Women’s T20I run-scoring record for a significant period.
The New Zealand all-rounder has been one of the most experienced players in women’s T20 cricket and was previously the format’s leading run-scorer with 4,758 runs.
Mandhana’s achievement moves Bates into second place, while the gap between the leading players and the rest of the list demonstrates the scale of their long-term contributions to international T20 cricket.
Mandhana’s 2026 Has Been Full of Records
The latest record is part of an extraordinary run of achievements for Mandhana during 2026.
At the Women’s Asia Cup, she scored her second T20I century against Hong Kong, making 124 from 64 balls. That innings helped her surpass Mithali Raj’s international run record and also gave her another major individual milestone.
Just weeks later, she added the Women’s T20I career run-scoring record to her list of achievements.
Her performances have therefore placed her at the centre of several major statistical milestones in women’s international cricket.
India Advances to Asian Games Final
Mandhana’s record came during an important match for India.
After winning the semifinal against Bangladesh by 114 runs, India booked its place in the Asian Games 2026 women’s cricket final, where the team is scheduled to face Sri Lanka.
While Mandhana’s individual milestone attracted significant attention, the match also featured a landmark performance from Shafali Verma, who scored her maiden T20I century with an unbeaten 100 off 49 balls.
The combination of Mandhana’s early attack and Shafali’s century helped India produce a commanding batting performance.
A Record That Adds to India’s Women’s Cricket Legacy
Mandhana’s achievement adds another major chapter to India’s growing list of individual records in women’s cricket.
She has now moved past Bates in T20Is after already overtaking Mithali Raj as the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket across formats.
The progression also reflects the increasing importance and global reach of women’s T20 cricket, with players from India, New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka and other nations competing at the highest level for extended careers.
What Happens Next?
Mandhana will now continue her campaign with India in the Asian Games final against Sri Lanka.
Her record-breaking T20I tally will continue to change as she plays additional matches, but reaching the top of the career run charts represents a significant milestone in her international career.
India will also look to convert its semifinal victory into another Asian Games gold medal when it faces Sri Lanka in the final.
Looking Ahead
The Smriti Mandhana highest run-scorer Women’s T20I milestone marks another historic achievement for one of India’s leading international batters.
By surpassing Suzie Bates’ 4,758 runs, Mandhana moved to the top of the Women’s T20I career run charts with 4,788 runs after India’s Asian Games semifinal against Bangladesh.
The achievement follows her earlier record as the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket across all formats, making 2026 a particularly significant year in Mandhana’s career.
With more international cricket still ahead, the record will continue to evolve, but Mandhana’s latest milestone has firmly established her as the leading career run-scorer in Women’s T20I cricket.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What record did Smriti Mandhana break?
Smriti Mandhana became the highest run-scorer in Women’s T20 Internationals, surpassing New Zealand’s Suzie Bates.
2. How many T20I runs does Smriti Mandhana have?
Following her innings against Bangladesh, Mandhana’s Women’s T20I tally stood at 4,788 runs.
3. Whose record did Smriti Mandhana break?
Mandhana surpassed New Zealand batter Suzie Bates, who previously held the Women’s T20I record with 4,758 runs.
4. How many runs did Smriti Mandhana score against Bangladesh?
Mandhana scored 37 runs from 19 balls in India’s Asian Games 2026 semifinal against Bangladesh.
5. When did Smriti Mandhana become the highest T20I run-scorer?
She achieved the record on September 20, 2026, during India’s Asian Games semifinal against Bangladesh.
6. Who is second on the Women’s T20I run-scoring list?
Suzie Bates is second with 4,758 runs, after Mandhana moved past her.
7. Who is India’s second-highest run-scorer in Women’s T20Is?
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur is currently third overall on the Women’s T20I run-scoring list, with 4,327 runs according to the ICC figures.
8. What other major record did Smriti Mandhana achieve in 2026?
Earlier in September, Mandhana became the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket across all formats, surpassing Mithali Raj’s previous tally of 10,868 runs.
9. Did India reach the Asian Games final after the Bangladesh match?
Yes. India defeated Bangladesh by 114 runs in the semifinal and advanced to the women’s cricket final against Sri Lanka.
10. Who scored a century for India in the Asian Games semifinal?
Shafali Verma scored an unbeaten 100 off 49 balls, her maiden T20I century, during India’s semifinal victory over Bangladesh.
