India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana credited her sheer love for batting behind her making a record-breaking 124 in the ongoing Women’s Asia Cup clash against Hong Kong-China, adding that she was thrilled to deliver a telling contribution for her side.
The left-handed opener also registered her 18th international hundred and moved ahead of Meg Lanning and Laura Wolvaardt for the most centuries across all formats in the women’s game. Additionally, she became the first Indian woman batter to score multiple T20I centuries and set the new record for the highest individual score by an Indian woman in T20Is. Mandhana’s 64-ball 124 powered India to 193/5, a knock which made her the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket as she surpassed former teammate Mithali Raj’s record of 10,868 runs. Smriti also has the record for the highest individual score in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history, eclipsing Chamari Athapaththu’s 119 not out against Malaysia in 2024.
“I didn’t know all of this happened. It’s really hard for me to play slower bowlers, but credit to them. They were really disciplined in the powerplay. They bowled pretty well, and the kind of energy they showed was something which we all can learn from.
Having said that, I just love batting, and I’m happy that I could contribute,” said Smriti during the mid-innings break to the broadcasters.
