Never imagined: Smriti Mandhana reacts after breaking Mithali Raj's record

Smriti Mandhana said she never imagined going past Mithali Raj after her 124 against Hong Kong. The knock sealed India's semi-final place and added to her record-breaking night in Dubai.Mandhana scored 124 runs against Hong Kong China (Courtesy: BCCI Women X)Smriti Mandhana produced a record-breaking 124 against Hong Kong in the Women's Asia Cup on Thursday, an innings that took her past Mithali Raj as the leading run-scorer in women's international cricket. The India vice-captain also became the first Indian woman with two T20I centuries and admitted she had never imagined overtaking her childhood role model.Mandhana crossed Mithali's previous mark of 10,868 international runs during India's 137-run win at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Speaking in a video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on its social media handles, Mandhana reflected on the significance of the achievement.India vs Hong Kong, Women's Asia Cup: Highlights | Scorecard“Mithali-di has been such a legend and a role model, and we've all grown up watching her bat. So, to go past her in the tally of runs, I definitely never imagined to do that. But happy that there are two Indians at the top two,” Mandhana said. The opener admitted she was unaware of the record while batting because she did not know the exact numbers. It was only after her innings that she was able to appreciate the magnitude of the moment.“Till I was batting, I didn't know what record it was because I didn't know the exact runs or all of that. But yeah, looking back, one of a very good day for Indian cricket, I would say,” she said.MANDHANA'S NIGHT OF RECORDS Mandhana's 124 off 64 balls, featuring 14 fours and seven sixes, was the highest individual score in Women's T20 Asia Cup history. She also brought up her 18th international century, moving ahead of Meg Lanning and Laura Wolvaardt, who had 17 each.Reflecting on the century record, Mandhana again mentioned the influence of the two former stars on her career.“Two of the legends of women's cricket -- Meg Lanning and Mithali Raj -- genuinely, these are the two people whom I have grown up watching a lot. I've tried to take a lot of things from them as batters.”“Really happy that I could go past them in whatever ways, but again, it's just a stat, I would say.”Her innings powered India to 193 for five before the bowlers dismissed Hong Kong for 56 in 16.2 overs. The 137-run victory made India the first team to qualify for the Women's Asia Cup semi-finals.Mandhana also backed India's middle order despite its struggles in the opening matches, describing her teammates as “world-class” and confident they would adapt to the conditions. She also acknowledged the physical challenge of batting for a long period in Dubai's heat and humidity, describing the conditions as a “steam box”.India will next face Pakistan in their final group-stage match of the Women's Asia Cup on September 5, with the team already assured of a place in the semi-finals- EndsPublished By: Debodinna ChakrabortyPublished On: Sep 4, 2026 12:38 IST