Smriti Mandhana created history during India’s Women’s Asia Cup 2026 clash against Hong Kong in Dubai, becoming the first woman to score 18 international centuries across formats.
The India vice-captain moved past Meg Lanning and Laura Wolvaardt, who were level on 17 hundreds, after smashing a career-best 124 from 64 balls at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 3.
Mandhana Dominates Hong Kong
Asked to bat first, India made an aggressive start through Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who added 74 runs for the opening wicket. Verma scored 28 from 17 balls before being dismissed, but Mandhana continued to attack and built useful partnerships with Pratika Rawal, Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet Kaur.
Her innings included 14 fours and seven sixes, with 98 of her runs coming in boundaries.
Mandhana was eventually run out in the final over after helping India reach 193/5, the highest total of the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup at that stage.
Second T20I Century
The hundred was Mandhana’s second in T20 internationals and the most by an Indian batter in the format.
She also moved to 95 T20I sixes, the most by an Indian woman.
Her 124 was also the highest T20I score of her career.
India Complete Huge Victory
Hong Kong never threatened the target and were bowled out for just 56 in 16.2 overs.
India therefore completed a 137-run victory, their second-biggest win by runs in women’s T20I history.
Mandhana was named Player of the Match for her record-breaking innings.
The result also made India the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament, taking them to four points from two matches after their opening 94-run victory over Thailand.
Mandhana Moves Past Mithali Raj
Mandhana achieved another major milestone during the same match by surpassing former India captain Mithali Raj’s tally of 10,868 international runs.
The achievement made Mandhana the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket across all three formats.
18 International Hundreds
Mandhana’s international centuries now include 14 in ODIs, two in T20Is and two in Tests.
Her previous hundred came during the 2025 ODI World Cup against New Zealand, when she scored 109 in India’s 53-run victory.
That tournament eventually ended with India winning their maiden senior ICC title after defeating South Africa in the final.
At 30, Mandhana has now established herself as both women’s international cricket’s leading century-maker and its highest run-scorer, adding two historic records to an already remarkable career.
