Smriti Mandhana's Record Century Stuns Hong Kong

Smriti Mandhana‘s record century powered India Women to a commanding 137-run win over Hong Kong in Dubai, sealing their place in the semi-finals of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026. Batting first after being invited to bat, India posted 193/5 in 20 overs before bowling Hong Kong out for just 56, with Mandhana’s innings standing as the defining moment of the match.

Mandhana’s Record-Breaking Innings

Opening the batting, Mandhana played a sensational knock of 124 off just 64 balls, striking 14 fours and seven sixes before being run out on the third ball of the final over. By the time she departed, she had already ensured India’s total was well beyond Hong Kong’s reach, and her innings became the standout individual performance of the tournament so far.

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The Records She Broke

Smriti Mandhana’s record century carried historic significance well beyond the scoreline. During her innings, she surpassed Mithali Raj to become the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket, moving to 10,880 runs. She also became the batter with the most centuries in women’s international cricket, reaching her 18th hundred and the first century by an Indian batter in T20I history. Alongside that, she registered the highest individual score in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history, hit the most sixes for India Women in T20Is with 95, and equalled Mithali Raj’s record of 93 fifty-plus scores in women’s international cricket.

India's Total and Batting Collapse Avoided

India’s innings wasn’t without its wobbles. Shafali Verma provided early fireworks with a quick 28 off 17 balls before departing, while Harmanpreet Kaur and Pratika Rawal both fell for modest scores as India lost a cluster of wickets late in the innings. Still, thanks largely to Mandhana holding one end together for almost the entire innings, India finished at a commanding 193/5, avoiding the kind of late collapse that had troubled them in their opening match against Thailand.

Hong Kong's Chase Falls Apart

Chasing a daunting target, Hong Kong never found any rhythm. India’s bowlers struck early and often, reducing Hong Kong to single figures inside the first two overs before methodically working through the rest of the batting order. Wickets fell at regular intervals as the required run rate climbed out of reach, and Hong Kong were eventually bowled out for just 56 runs, handing India a 137-run victory.

Deepti Sharma's Milestone With the Ball

While Mandhana dominated the headlines with the bat, Deepti Sharma delivered a standout performance with the ball, finishing with figures of 3 for 9. Her contribution also carried historical weight, as she became the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20I history during the innings, adding another record to a memorable day for the Indian team.

What's Next for India

With the win, India move into the semi-finals of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, continuing their pursuit of another title after previously winning four Asia Cup titles in the ODI format and three in the T20 format. Having recovered strongly from a batting wobble in their tournament opener against Thailand, India will look to carry the momentum from Mandhana’s record century into the knockout stages, with a potential meeting against Pakistan looming on the horizon in the group stage’s closing matches.

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Author: M Jyosri
A Junior Journalist passionate about reporting accurate, engaging, and reader-focused news across technology, business, education, health, entertainment, lifestyle, and current affairs. Dedicated to researching reliable sources, verifying information, and producing clear, factual content that follows ethical journalism standards.

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What records did Smriti Mandhana break against Hong Kong?

She became the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket (10,880 runs), the batter with most centuries (18), and matched Mithali Raj’s record of 93 fifty-plus scores.

What was Smriti Mandhana's score against Hong Kong?

She scored 124 off 64 balls, hitting 14 fours and seven sixes, before being run out in the final over.

By how many runs did India beat Hong Kong?

India won by 137 runs, posting 193/5 before bowling Hong Kong out for just 56.

Did any other Indian player set a record in this match?

Yes, Deepti Sharma took 3/9 and became the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20I history.

What's next for India after this win?

India have advanced to the semi-finals of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, building momentum after a batting wobble in their opener against Thailand.