Smriti Mandhana Scripts History in Asian Games 2026 Cricket, Sets Women’s T20I Record

NAGOYA: Smriti Mandhana became the leading run-scorer in women’s T20 internationals during India’s semi-final against Bangladesh on Sunday, September 20. She reached 4,788 T20I runs as India defeated Bangladesh by 114 runs at Korogi Sports Park in Japan and secured a place in the Asian Games final.

Smriti Mandhana Moves Past Suzie Bates

Mandhana entered the match behind New Zealand’s Suzie Bates on the women’s T20I run charts. Bates had 4,758 runs, while Mandhana moved beyond that mark after scoring 37 from 19 deliveries.

The International Cricket Council confirmed the milestone and placed Mandhana at the top with 4,788 runs, followed by Bates on 4,758 and Harmanpreet Kaur on 4,327.

The Women’s T20I record adds another major achievement to Smriti Mandhana’s international career. Earlier this month, she also moved to the top of the women’s international run charts across formats during India’s Women’s Asia Cup campaign.

India Reach Asian Games Final

The milestone came during a commanding Asian Games 2026 cricket semi-final in which India posted 195 for four after being sent in to bat.

Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave India a strong start, putting on 72 runs before Mandhana was dismissed. Verma then produced an unbeaten 100 from 49 balls, including three fours and nine sixes, to become the first player to score a century in the women’s cricket competition at the Asian Games.

India’s bowlers completed the result by dismissing Bangladesh for 81 in 15.4 overs. Nandni Sharma and Deepti Sharma claimed three wickets apiece, while Shree Charani took two as India secured a 114-run victory.

The result followed India’s recent Women’s Asia Cup title, where Mandhana and Verma also formed the opening partnership in the final.

Record Adds To Mandhana’s International Career

The latest Women’s T20I record is the newest milestone in a highly decorated period for Smriti Mandhana.

India entered the Asian Games 2026 cricket tournament as defending women’s champions after winning gold at the 2023 Hangzhou Games. The tournament schedule had placed Harmanpreet Kaur as captain and Mandhana as vice-captain before the competition began.

An earlier Asian Games 2026 cricket campaign report outlined India’s route through the tournament and confirmed the women’s semi-final and final dates.

India Prepare For Sri Lanka Final

India will face Sri Lanka in the gold-medal match on September 22. Sri Lanka booked its place in the final after defeating Pakistan by eight wickets, setting up another meeting between the two sides after India’s Women’s Asia Cup final victory earlier in September.

For Smriti Mandhana, the final comes after another record-setting performance. Her latest Women’s T20I record has placed her above Bates on the all-time women’s T20I run charts, while India’s progress keeps the Asian Games 2026 cricket title defence alive.