Smriti Mandhana claimed the top position on the all-time women's T20 International run-scoring chart on September 20, 2026, achieving the feat during India's Asian Games 2026 semi-final against Bangladesh at the Korogi Sports Park in Nagoya, Japan. Mandhana moved past New Zealand's Suzie Bates, whose tally of 4,758 runs across 186 matches had stood as the benchmark, to reach 4,765 runs in the format.
The milestone represented a defining moment in women's cricket, with Mandhana's consistent excellence
across international cricket establishing her as one of the format's most prolific batters. Her achievement came during a knockout fixture where India sought to advance further in the tournament.
"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!" Shah wrote on 'X'.
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah acknowledged Mandhana's record-breaking achievement with a message that highlighted the broader significance of her milestone for women's cricket. Shah's words emphasised how individual excellence at the highest level inspires the next generation of players.
Performance during the Asian Games semi-final
During the semi-final match, Mandhana contributed a brisk 37 off 19 balls, striking five fours and two sixes before being dismissed. She put on a 72-run opening stand with Shafali Verma, laying a strong foundation for India's innings in the knockout fixture. Her aggressive approach at the top of the order demonstrated the attacking intent India brought to the semi-final encounter.
In the same innings, Mandhana also brought up 100 sixes in women's T20Is, marking a second significant landmark on the same afternoon. The dual achievement underscored her dominance in the shortest format of international cricket, with both milestones reflecting her ability to score consistently and strike the ball with authority. Beyond the T20I format, Mandhana has accumulated 10,987 runs across all three formats of international cricket, demonstrating her consistency and value across Test, ODI and T20I cricket.
