NISSHIN, Japan | September 22, 2026 —
Smriti Mandhana has rewritten the history of women’s cricket once again. The Indian batting superstar became the first woman cricketer in the world to complete 11,000 international runs, reaching the landmark during the Asian Games 2026 women’s cricket gold-medal match against Sri Lanka.
Mandhana did not stop after reaching the milestone. She launched a powerful attack on the Sri Lankan bowling and smashed 79 runs from 45 balls, giving India the foundation for a huge first-innings total of 216/3 in 20 overs.
The record adds another extraordinary chapter to a remarkable September for the Indian opener.
Smriti Mandhana needed just 13 runs to create history
Mandhana entered the Asian Games final with 10,987 international runs across Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
That left her only 13 runs short of the unprecedented 11,000-run mark.
She wasted little time.
India chose to bat first after winning the toss, and Mandhana attacked from the start. Once she crossed 13, women’s international cricket had a new landmark — and Mandhana stood alone as its first member.
No woman had previously reached 11,000 international runs.
Mandhana and Shafali give India a flying start
The milestone came during a dominant opening partnership.
Mandhana and Shafali Verma attacked Sri Lanka’s bowlers and added 99 runs for the first wicket.
Shafali narrowly missed her half-century, scoring 48 from 29 balls, while Mandhana continued to accelerate.
The left-hander eventually departed for 79 after facing 45 deliveries. Her innings included five fours and seven sixes.
By then, India had already taken firm control of the gold-medal contest.
India pile up 216/3 in gold-medal match
India maintained the pressure even after Mandhana’s dismissal.
Richa Ghosh provided another explosive push in the closing overs as India finished on 216/3 from 20 overs, setting Sri Lanka a massive target in the Asian Games final.
The final carried enormous importance for Harmanpreet Kaur’s team, which entered the contest seeking to defend the Asian Games women’s cricket title it won in 2023.
However, Mandhana’s individual record ensured that September 22 had already become a landmark date in women’s cricket even before the final result.
A record-breaking September for Smriti Mandhana
Mandhana’s 11,000-run milestone did not arrive in isolation.
Earlier in September, she overtook former India captain Mithali Raj’s career tally of 10,868 international runs to become the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket across formats.
She achieved that record during the Women’s Asia Cup after scoring a spectacular century against Hong Kong, China.
Mandhana has also strengthened her position among the most prolific century-makers in the women’s game.
Now, crossing 11,000 runs has taken that record to an entirely new level.
From chasing records to setting the benchmark
For years, women’s cricket milestones were measured against some of the greatest names in the sport.
Mandhana has now moved the benchmark forward.
Her combination of longevity, consistency and aggressive stroke-play has allowed her to pile up runs across all three international formats.
More importantly, she reached the landmark while still playing a decisive role at the top of India’s batting order.
The Asian Games final offered another example.
India needed a commanding start in a gold-medal match. Mandhana delivered one — and created world cricket history along the way.
Smriti Mandhana’s 11,000-run record could stand for years
Reaching five figures in international cricket is itself a rare achievement.
Crossing 11,000 makes Mandhana the first woman to enter territory that did not previously exist in women’s international cricket.
The significance extends beyond one innings or tournament.
Every run Mandhana scores from here will push the all-time women’s international batting record further.
For Indian cricket, September 22, 2026 will therefore be remembered not simply for an Asian Games final.
It will also be remembered as the day Smriti Mandhana became the first woman in cricket history to score 11,000 international runs.
