Smriti Mandhana smashed a record-breaking 124 as India defeated Hong Kong-China by 137 runs in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup. Her century made her women’s international cricket’s leading run-scorer, while India’s bowlers produced a dominant display in Dubai.
India produced a commanding all-round performance at the Women’s T20 Asia Cup, defeating Hong Kong-China by 137 runs in their Group A match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The victory was powered by a record-breaking century from vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and an impressive collective bowling effort from the Indian attack.
After Hong Kong-China won the toss and opted to field, India posted an imposing 193/5 in 20 overs, with Mandhana delivering one of the most remarkable innings in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history. The left-handed opener smashed 124 runs from just 64 balls, striking 14 boundaries and seven sixes.
Mandhana’s sensational knock not only guided India to a massive total but also created several significant records. Her century made her the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket, as she moved beyond former India captain Mithali Raj’s career tally of 10,868 international runs. The innings also took Mandhana’s international century count to 18 across formats, moving her ahead of Australia’s Meg Lanning for the most hundreds in women’s international cricket.
Her 124 also became the highest individual score in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history, surpassing Chamari Athapaththu’s unbeaten 119 against Malaysia in 2024.
Mandhana initially took time to settle on a slow Dubai pitch but gradually found her rhythm. India reached 60 without loss at the end of the powerplay after Shafali Verma launched an attacking assault in the sixth over, hitting two sixes and two fours in a 22-run over.
The opening partnership crossed 50 before Shafali was dismissed for 28 in the eighth over. Pratika Rawal then departed for 10, but Mandhana continued to dominate the Hong Kong-China bowling attack.
She reached her half-century from 41 balls before accelerating dramatically. Her most destructive phase came late in the innings, including three consecutive sixes against Ruchitha Venkatesh in the 18th over. Mandhana reached her century from 58 balls and continued attacking until she was run out for 124 on the penultimate delivery following a mid-pitch mix-up with Bharti Fulmali.
Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet Kaur contributed 11 and 10 respectively as India finished with 193/5. However, India’s middle order managed only 34 runs, leaving a potential area of concern despite the emphatic victory.
Hong Kong-China’s chase never gathered momentum. They lost their first wicket for just two runs in the second over and struggled to cope with India’s disciplined bowling attack. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, and Hong Kong-China were eventually bowled out for only 56 in 16.2 overs.
All-rounder Deepti Sharma spearheaded India’s bowling performance, claiming three wickets for just nine runs from three overs. Nandani Sharma, N. Shree Charani and Prema Rawat also impressed, taking two wickets each.
Only three Hong Kong-China batters reached double figures. Captain Natasha Miles top-scored with 15, while Marina Lamplough made 13 and wicketkeeper-batter Yasmin Daswani scored 11.
India’s 137-run victory underlined the team’s strength with both bat and ball and secured their second Group A win in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup. Mandhana’s historic innings was the standout feature, while the bowling unit ensured that Hong Kong-China never came close to challenging the huge target.
Brief Scores
India: 193/5 in 20 overs — Smriti Mandhana 124, Shafali Verma 28; Marina Lamplough 2/46, Joyleen Kaur 1/12.
Hong Kong-China: 56 all out in 16.2 overs — Natasha Miles 15; Deepti Sharma 3/9, Nandani Sharma 2/6, N. Shree Charani 2/16, Prema Rawat 2/12.
Result: India won by 137 runs.
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