Smriti Mandhana has etched her name into history, securing the second-highest spot on the all-time women’s international run-scoring list. The milestone was reached on August 30, when the India vice-captain overtook New Zealand’s Suzie Bates during the group stage fixture against Thailand at the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 in Dubai. During the match, Mandhana contributed a brisk 19 runs off just 10 balls, showcasing her trademark aggression and composure at the crease.
This crucial knock pushed Mandhana past Bates, leaving her just behind legendary former India captain Mithali Raj on the prestigious all-time charts. Mandhana currently holds an impressive tally of 10,756 runs, achieved across 302 international innings in all formats (Tests, ODIs, and T20Is).
With Bates now dropping to third place, the New Zealand superstar’s tally stands at 10,740 runs from 352 innings. Remarkably, Mandhana achieved this milestone in 50 fewer innings, highlighting the remarkable consistency and scoring efficiency the left-handed batter has maintained across the formats of the game.
How close is Mandhana to Mithali Raj’s record?
Mithali Raj, who retired from international cricket in 2022, remains the undisputed queen of women’s cricket, holding the record for the most runs with 10,868 runs from 314 innings. Mandhana is trailing Raj by a narrow margin of just 112 runs—marking the closest she has ever been to the absolute pinnacle of the sport.
Notably, the Indian vice-captain has accumulated her current total in 12 fewer innings than Raj required to compile the historic record. This underlines a marginally higher scoring rate per innings across their respective careers. With the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 still in full swing and India’s packed international calendar offering multiple upcoming series, Mandhana has ample opportunities to close the remaining gap and claim the top spot.
How did India fare in their Women’s Asia Cup opener?
India kicked off their Women’s Asia Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, crushing the Thailand Women by 94 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Electing to bat first, the Women in Blue posted a formidable total of 159 for 9 in their 20 overs. Opener Shafali Verma led the charge with a stunning 36-ball 64, setting the tone for the innings. Debutant Pratika Rawal also made a positive impression, contributing a valuable 22 runs off 18 balls.
India’s bowling attack proved equally clinical, bundling out Thailand for a modest 65 runs in just 16.1 overs. The spin duo of Nandni Sharma and Deepti Sharma dismantled the batting lineup, with both picking up three wickets each. Nandni finished with stellar figures of 3 for 18 in four overs, while Deepti delivered a devastating spell of three wickets in seven balls, conceding zero runs. India are scheduled to face Hong Kong in their next match on September 3 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Most runs in Women’s International Cricket
| Position | Name | Team | Runs | Innings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Mithali Raj | India Women | 10,868 | 314 |
| 2. | Smriti Mandhana | India Women | 10,756 | 302 |
| 3. | Suzie Bates | New Zealand Women | 10,740 | 352 |