Smriti Mandhana races past legends to rewrite history, becomes fastest ever to 10,000 runs in women’s cricket

By Admin

29 Dec, 2025

Introduction
Smriti Mandhana’s extraordinary rise in women’s cricket reached another historic milestone in 2025 as the Indian opener became the fastest player ever to score 10,000 international runs. In a year already filled with records and match-winning performances, Mandhana once again underlined her status as one of the modern greats of the game.

A landmark moment against Sri Lanka
Mandhana achieved the feat during the fourth India vs Sri Lanka T20I in Trivandrum, where she played a sublime knock of 80 off just 48 deliveries. Coming into the match just 27 runs short of the milestone, the left-hander eased past the five-figure mark with trademark elegance and composure. Her innings included 11 boundaries and three sixes, showcasing both finesse and power at the top of the order.

Joining an elite club
With this achievement, Mandhana became only the fourth woman in international cricket history to cross 10,000 runs. She joined an exclusive list that includes India’s Mithali Raj, New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, and England’s Charlotte Edwards. Reaching the milestone in just 281 international appearances, Mandhana did it ten matches quicker than Mithali Raj, setting a new benchmark in women’s cricket.

Breakdown of Mandhana’s international runs
Mandhana’s consistency across formats has been key to her success. Her 10,000-plus runs include 5,322 runs in Women’s ODIs, 4,022 runs in Women’s T20Is, and 629 runs in just seven Test matches. This balance across formats highlights her versatility and adaptability at the highest level.

Where she stands among the greats
The current list of the highest run-scorers in women’s international cricket sees Mithali Raj leading with 10,868 runs, followed by Suzie Bates with 10,652 and Charlotte Edwards with 10,273. Mandhana, now on 10,053 runs, sits close behind and continues to close the gap rapidly, while Nat Sciver-Brunt follows with 8,197 runs.

A phenomenal year for Mandhana
The year 2025 has been nothing short of remarkable for the 29-year-old. Mandhana has piled on runs and centuries across formats, playing a pivotal role in India lifting their maiden Women’s World Cup title at home earlier this winter. She now boasts 17 international centuries, including two in Tests, one in T20Is, and a dominant 14 in ODIs, nine of which have come in the last two years alone.

Closing in on Mithali Raj’s record
With around 800 runs separating her from Mithali Raj at the top of the all-time list, Mandhana is firmly within touching distance of becoming the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket. Earlier this year, she also became just the fifth player to cross 5,000 ODI runs and stands as one of only two women, alongside Suzie Bates, to score more than 4,000 runs in T20 internationals.

A match-winning performance for India
Mandhana’s historic knock against Sri Lanka was also crucial to India’s commanding performance. Her 162-run opening partnership with Shafali Verma laid a solid foundation, while Richa Ghosh’s explosive 40 not out off just 16 balls propelled India to a formidable total of 221 for 2.

Conclusion
Smriti Mandhana’s record-breaking journey to 10,000 international runs is a testament to her consistency, skill, and hunger for excellence. As she continues to scale new heights and chase down long-standing records, Mandhana is not just rewriting history but also inspiring the next generation of women cricketers in India and around the world.