Smriti Mandhana's record 124 powers India to 137-run win in Women's Asia Cup
Synopsis
Smriti Mandhana didn't just score a century in Dubai — she rewrote two of women's cricket's most coveted records in a single innings. Her 124 off 64 balls is now the highest score in Women's T20 Asia Cup history, she is the format's all-time leading run-scorer, and her 18th international hundred is the most by any batter in women's cricket. India's middle order, however, managed just 34 runs — a subplot that could define their tournament run.
Key Takeaways
Smriti Mandhana scored 124 off 64 balls — the highest individual score in Women's T20 Asia Cup history , eclipsing Chamari Athapaththu's 119 not out.
Mandhana is now women's cricket's all-time leading run-scorer with 10,880 runs , surpassing Mithali Raj's 10,868.
Her 18th international hundred is the most centuries by any batter in women's international cricket, moving past Meg Lanning .
India posted 193/5 and bowled out Hong Kong-China for 56 to win by 137 runs in the Women's T20 Asia Cup in Dubai .
ICC Chairman Jay Shah congratulated Mandhana via Instagram, calling her journey 'a testament to elegance, consistency and sheer hard work.' India's middle order contributed just 34 runs , flagging a concern ahead of the knockout stages.
Smriti Mandhana rewrote women's cricket history on Thursday, 4 September, smashing a record-breaking 124 off 64 balls to propel India to a commanding 137-run victory over Hong Kong-China in the Women's T20 Asia Cup in Dubai. The knock made her both the highest run-scorer and the leading century-maker in women's international cricket, prompting ICC Chairman Jay Shah to publicly congratulate her.
A Record-Breaking Innings
Opening alongside Shafali Verma, Mandhana overcame a slow, low-paced Dubai surface to register her second T20I century — laced with 14 boundaries and seven sixes — becoming the first Indian women's batter to achieve that landmark in the format. She reached her fifty off 41 balls in the 11th over before accelerating dramatically, advancing down the track to hit three consecutive sixes off Ruchitha in the 18th over. Her century arrived off 58 balls, cutting Marina through backward point in the 17th over.
The innings also set a new benchmark for the tournament: Mandhana's 124 is the highest individual score in Women's T20 Asia Cup history, eclipsing Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu's 119 not out against Malaysia in 2024. Her stay at the crease ended on the penultimate ball of the innings when she was run out following a mid-pitch mix-up with Bharti Fulmali.
Historic Milestones Crossed
With this innings, Mandhana surpassed former India captain Mithali Raj's international career aggregate of 10,868 runs, taking her own tally to 10,880 runs across formats. She also claimed her 18th international hundred — the most centuries by any batter in women's international cricket — moving past Australia's Meg Lanning in that list.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah paid tribute via an Instagram story: 'Heartiest congratulations to Smriti Mandhana on becoming the highest run-scorer (10,880*) and the leading century-maker (18) in Women's International Cricket. Your journey is a testament to elegance, consistency and sheer hard work. You have not only rewritten the record books, but also redefined aspirations for millions of young girls and boys across India and the world.'
How India Built Their Total
After Hong Kong-China won the toss and elected to field, India's innings gathered momentum rapidly. Shafali Verma exploded in the sixth over off Marina Lamplough, hitting two sixes and two fours in a 22-run over to push India to 60/0 at the end of the powerplay. The 50-run opening stand — their 29th fifty-plus partnership in T20Is — ended in the eighth over when Shafali miscued a full toss from off-spinner Ruchitha Venkatesh to fall for 28. Pratika Rawal (10) followed in the 13th over. Richa Ghosh (11) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (10) made brief contributions as India posted 193/5, setting Hong Kong a target of 194.
Bowlers Complete the Rout
India's bowlers then dismantled Hong Kong-China's batting order, dismissing them for just 56 to seal a 137-run win. The margin underlines India's dominance in the group stage of the tournament.
A Note of Concern
Notably, India's middle order — beyond Mandhana's heroics — contributed only 34 runs in the innings, a worrying sign that team management is likely to address as the tournament progresses. The depth of India's batting beyond the top order remains an area to watch in the knockout stages.
Point of View
Against a lower-ranked side, should not diminish the achievement; records fall when the opportunity presents itself, and she seized it emphatically. What mainstream coverage will underplay is the middle-order alarm: 34 runs from numbers four through seven is not a template for deep tournament runs. India's title ambitions will hinge on whether Harmanpreet Kaur's batting group finds form before the knockouts, not on Mandhana carrying the side alone.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What record did Smriti Mandhana break in the Women's T20 Asia Cup?
Smriti Mandhana became the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket, reaching 10,880 runs, surpassing Mithali Raj's tally of 10,868. Her 124 off 64 balls against Hong Kong-China in Dubai on 4 September also set a new record for the highest individual score in Women's T20 Asia Cup history.
How many international centuries does Smriti Mandhana now have?
Mandhana now has 18 international centuries across formats, the most by any batter in women's international cricket. The milestone moves her past Australia's Meg Lanning on that all-time list.
What was the result of India vs Hong Kong-China in the Women's T20 Asia Cup?
India defeated Hong Kong-China by 137 runs in the Women's T20 Asia Cup in Dubai. India posted 193/5, with Mandhana's 124 anchoring the innings, before their bowlers dismissed Hong Kong-China for just 56.
What did ICC Chairman Jay Shah say about Smriti Mandhana?
ICC Chairman Jay Shah congratulated Mandhana via an Instagram story, writing: 'Your journey is a testament to elegance, consistency and sheer hard work. You have not only rewritten the record books, but also redefined aspirations for millions of young girls and boys across India and the world.'
What is a concern for India despite the big win?
India's middle order contributed only 34 runs in the innings beyond the top order's efforts, which analysts and team management are likely to view as a warning sign ahead of the knockout rounds of the Women's T20 Asia Cup.
