Smriti Mandhana makes history, surpassing Meg Lanning to become the leading century maker in women's cricket

Smriti Mandhana makes Women’s Asia Cup history (Image: BCCI) Smriti Mandhana produced a breathtaking display of power to create a new world record as India Women posted an impressive 193/5 against Hong Kong in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 in Dubai on Thursday.Mandhana became the leading century maker in women’s international cricket, moving to 18th century and surpassing former Australian captain Meg Lanning’s record of 17. South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt also has 17 international hundreds, while Hayley Matthews has 15.

Most 100s in women’s international cricket

18 – Smriti Mandhana
17 – Meg Lanning
17 – Laura Wolvaardt
15 – Hayley Matthews
14 – Suzie Bates
14 – Tammy Beaumont

Asked to bat first after Hong Kong won the toss, India got off to a flying start with Mandhan and Shafali Verma putting the opposition bowlers under pressure. Verma hit 28 off 17 balls before her dismissal brought Hong Kong back into the contest.But Mandhana remained undeterred as wickets continued to fall at the other end. She reached her half-century from 40 balls, but after reaching the milestone, she shifted gears dramatically and turned the innings into a one-woman attack.The Indian vice-captain raced from 50 to 100 in just 17 balls, reaching her century in just 57 deliveries. She continued to attack until the last delivery of the innings and finished with a spectacular 124 off 64 balls, including 14 fours and seven sixes, at a staggering strike rate of 193.75.Mandhana’s innings also saw her rewrite the record books for the highest individual score in the history of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup.

Highest individual score in Women’s Asia Cup T20

124 – Smriti Mandhana (IND-W) vs HKG-W, Dubai, 2026
119 – Chamari Athapaththu (SL-W) vs MAS-W, Dambulla, 2024*
97 – Mithali Raj (IND-W) vs MAS-W, Kuala Lumpur, 2018*
81 – Harshitha Samarawickrama (SL-W) vs THA-W, Sylhet, 2022
81 – Shafali Verma (IND-W) vs NEP-W, Dambulla, 2024

Mandhana’s innings ended miserably in the final over. Mandhana looked to steal a single after Bharti Fulmali sliced a yorker towards point, but was never in the frame when the toss came. Iqra Sahar’s straight throw at the striker’s end caught her by surprise and brought a spectacular innings to a disappointing end.Despite the late exhaustion, Mandhana had already done enough damage to put India in a commanding position. Her 124 accounted for almost two-thirds of India’s total and ensured India finished at 193/5 from their 20 overs, leaving Hong Kong with a daunting target of 194.Shafali Verma’s 28 off 17 gave India the early impetus while Richa Ghosh (11), Harmanpreet Kaur (10) and Deepti Sharma (1*) contributed to Mandhana’s record-breaking effort. Marina Lamplough was the standout bowler for Hong Kong, taking 2/46, while Joyleen Kaur, Ruchitha Venkatesh and Iqra Sahar picked up one wicket each.