India opener Smriti Mandhana etched her name in the record books on Sunday (September 20, 2026) by becoming the highest run-scorer in women’s T20 International cricket. She achieved the landmark during India’s Asian Games 2026 semi-final against Bangladesh at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan.
The Record-Breaking Moment
Mandhana surpassed New Zealand great Suzie Bates’ previous record of 4,758 runs.
She reached the milestone in the third over of India’s innings, hitting consecutive boundaries off Bangladesh pacer Marufa Akter. By the end of her innings, Mandhana had taken her career T20I tally to 4,788 runs.
In the match, she scored a brisk 37 off 19 balls, including five fours and two sixes, before being dismissed on the final ball of the powerplay.
Updated Top Run-Scorers in Women’s T20Is
Smriti Mandhana (India) – 4,788 runs
Suzie Bates (New Zealand) – 4,758 runs
Harmanpreet Kaur (India) – 4,287 runs
Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka) – 4,282 runs
Sophie Devine (New Zealand) – 3,817 runs
Mandhana achieved the feat in her 178th T20I (171 innings), while Bates had scored her runs in 186 matches.
This milestone adds to Mandhana’s growing list of records. She is also the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket across formats and recently became the first Indian woman to reach 100 sixes in T20Is.
India went on to win the semi-final comprehensively and advanced to the gold medal match.The achievement highlights Mandhana’s consistency and dominance as one of the premier batters in world cricket.