Smriti Mandhana delivered a batting masterclass in Dubai as India stormed to a commanding 137-run victory over Hong Kong in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026. The Indian opener smashed a sensational 124, breaking several records along the way and becoming the standout performer of an emphatic win. Mandhana’s innings was not only crucial in taking India to 193/5 but also saw her surpass former India captain Mithali Raj for the most runs by an Indian woman in international cricket. Her remarkable knock underlined her status as one of the most influential batters in the women’s game.
Well deserved, @mandhana_smriti ! I’ve watched you grow from a young player into one of the finest batters India has produced. To see you go past my record and become the highest run-scorer in international cricket is a moment I’m genuinely proud of. Here’s to many more runs and…
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) September 3, 2026
Smriti Mandhana sizzles with a dazzling hundred
Mandhana did not immediately find her rhythm after walking out to open the innings. At one stage, she was batting on 11 from 14 deliveries, with Hong Kong managing to keep the left-hander quiet. However, everything changed when Mandhana found the boundary with a well-executed sweep. The shot appeared to unlock another gear, and she quickly shifted from cautious accumulation to outright aggression.
The opener followed up with three boundaries in the next over, while Shafali Verma joined the assault by smashing two fours and two sixes in the final over of the Powerplay. Although Shafali departed for 28 shortly afterwards, Mandhana continued to dominate. She reached her half-century with a six and then accelerated further. Boundaries and towering sixes came with increasing regularity as she moved rapidly towards three figures.
Mandhana eventually became the first Indian woman to score two centuries in the format. She then celebrated the landmark in spectacular fashion, clearing the ropes three times in succession to move past Mithali in India’s all-time women’s international run charts. Her seven sixes also took her past Harmanpreet Kaur for the most sixes by an Indian woman in the format.
That was some innings @mandhana_smriti! 124 off 64, breaking the record for most international centuries in women’s cricket. Brilliant! 👏 pic.twitter.com/KBy9QI8Hmk
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) September 3, 2026
Indian bowlers complete a ruthless demolition
Chasing 194 was always going to be an enormous challenge for Hong Kong, particularly after they had managed only 114/7 against Thailand in their tournament opener. India made sure there was little opportunity for a recovery. Nandani Sharma opened the bowling attack and produced an early breakthrough in the second over, bringing one delivery back in sharply to breach the batter’s defence.
Hong Kong reached just 8/1 after five overs before finding a couple of boundaries towards the end of the Powerplay. Their resistance, however, quickly disappeared once Deepti Sharma and Prema Rawat entered the attack. The pair struck in quick succession, reducing Hong Kong to 36/4. Shree Charani then added to India’s growing dominance with another wicket.
The final stages of the chase turned into a complete collapse. When Nandani returned for her second spell in the 14th over, Hong Kong were still on 52/4. Within just 18 deliveries, they lost their final six wickets and were bowled out for 56. Deepti Sharma was particularly destructive, finishing with excellent figures of 3/9. She conceded only one run in a stunning over while picking up three wickets. Nandani claimed 2/6, while Charani also chipped in with two wickets.
India’s commanding victory was ultimately set up by Mandhana’s extraordinary batting display and completed by a disciplined bowling performance, giving the defending side a huge boost in the Women’s Asia Cup campaign.
🚨 Record Alert 🚨
Smriti Mandhana is now the leading run-getter in women’s internationals 🫡🫡
She surpasses former #TeamIndia captain Mithali Raj 👏👏#WomensAsiaCup | #INDvHK pic.twitter.com/qqxNYJcunz
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) September 3, 2026
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
