Smriti Mandhana tops T20I run-scoring charts across men's and women's cricket
Synopsis
Smriti Mandhana has done what no batter — male or female — has managed before: accumulate more T20I runs than anyone in the history of the format. Her 4,788-run tally, surpassing Suzie Bates during an Asian Games semifinal cameo, caps a season in which she also broke Mithali Raj's all-format women's record and hit her 18th international century. ICC chairman Jay Shah called it 'rewriting history.'
Key Takeaways
Smriti Mandhana became the all-time leading T20I run-scorer across men's and women's cricket on 20 September 2026 , with 4,788 runs in 171 innings .
She surpassed former New Zealand batter Suzie Bates during the Asian Games semifinal against Bangladesh women at Korogi Sports Park .
ICC chairman Jay Shah praised Mandhana on X, saying she is 'lifting women's cricket to new heights.' Earlier this season, Mandhana surpassed Mithali Raj's all-format women's international run tally of 10,868 and hit her 18th international century — a record later equalled by Laura Wolvaardt .
Mandhana ranks fifth in ICC Women's T20I batter rankings and first in ICC Women's ODI batting charts .
Smriti Mandhana has become the highest run-scorer in T20 International cricket across both men's and women's formats, surpassing former New Zealand batter Suzie Bates to reach 4,788 runs in 171 innings. The India women's vice-captain achieved the milestone during the Asian Games semifinal against Bangladesh women at Korogi Sports Park on 20 September 2026, playing a cameo of 37 off 19 balls.
How the Record Fell
Mandhana had entered the match on 4,751 runs from 170 innings, needing just eight runs to overhaul Bates. She reached the landmark early in her innings, dispatching a couple of fours and two singles inside her first seven balls. The milestone was clinched almost without drama — a fitting reflection of the batter's characteristic composure at the crease.
ICC Chairman's Tribute
International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah was swift to acknowledge the achievement. In a post on X, Shah wrote: 'Many congratulations to @mandhana_smriti for going top of the Women's T20I run charts (4,788 runs). By rewriting history, you are lifting women's cricket to new heights and setting the standard for young dreamers everywhere. Here's to many more milestones ahead!'
A Season of Record-Breaking
The T20I landmark is the latest in a remarkable run of record-setting for Mandhana. During the Asia Cup, she surpassed former India captain Mithali Raj's all-time tally of 10,868 runs to become the leading run-scorer in women's international cricket across all formats. She also struck her 18th international century — a 124 against Hong Kong — going past the record held by Australia's Meg Lanning, though that century tally was subsequently equalled by South Africa women's captain Laura Wolvaardt.
Career Trajectory and Current Rankings
Having made her international debut in 2013, Mandhana has evolved over more than a decade into one of world cricket's most consistent top-order batters. She currently sits fifth in the ICC Women's T20I batter rankings and leads the ICC Women's ODI batting charts. Notably, her latest landmark makes her the all-time leading T20I run-scorer across the sport — men's and women's combined — underscoring a consistency that transcends gender categories in cricket.
What This Means for Women's Cricket
Mandhana's record arrives at a moment when women's cricket is drawing unprecedented broadcast and sponsorship interest globally. The milestone lends quantitative weight to what many in the sport have long argued qualitatively: that the women's game has produced batters of the highest technical calibre. As the Asian Games campaign continues, all eyes will remain on how far Mandhana can extend her lead at the top of the charts.
Point of View
The century count, and now the T20I chart — compresses into a single cycle what normally takes a generation. The more pointed question is whether the infrastructure around women's cricket — domestic pay, franchise leagues, broadcast rights — is scaling at anything close to the same pace as the talent on the field.
NationPress
20 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What record did Smriti Mandhana break in T20I cricket?
Smriti Mandhana became the all-time leading run-scorer in T20 International cricket across both men's and women's formats, reaching 4,788 runs in 171 innings on 20 September 2026. She surpassed former New Zealand batter Suzie Bates, who previously held the record.
When and where did Mandhana achieve this milestone?
Mandhana reached the milestone during the Asian Games semifinal against Bangladesh women at Korogi Sports Park on 20 September 2026. She needed just eight runs entering the match and crossed the mark early in her innings of 37 off 19 balls.
What did ICC chairman Jay Shah say about Mandhana's record?
ICC chairman Jay Shah posted on X: 'By rewriting history, you are lifting women's cricket to new heights and setting the standard for young dreamers everywhere.' He also congratulated her on reaching 4,788 runs at the top of the Women's T20I run charts.
What other records has Mandhana broken recently?
During the Asia Cup, Mandhana surpassed former India captain Mithali Raj's tally of 10,868 runs to become the leading scorer in women's international cricket across all formats. She also hit her 18th international century — the most in women's cricket at the time — though that record was later equalled by South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt.
Where does Smriti Mandhana stand in current ICC rankings?
Mandhana is currently ranked fifth in the ICC Women's T20I batter rankings and leads the ICC Women's ODI batting charts. She made her international debut in 2013 and has been one of the sport's most consistent top-order batters for over a decade.
