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Smriti Mandhana etched her name in the record books for the second time in a week on August 30, when she became the second-highest run-scorer in women's international cricket.

During India's opening Women's Asia Cup 2026 match against Thailand in Dubai, Mandhana added 19 from 10 balls before being well caught by Thailand's number one batter. A cameo innings, but one that propelled the vice-captain to second place in the all-time list, just behind New Zealand legend Suzie Bates.

Chasing Greatness: Smriti Mandhana Bridging The Gap to Mithali Raj

Mandhana now has a tally of 10,756 international runs in all forms of the women's game, putting her just 112 runs away from Mithali Raj's tally of 10,868 runs – the highest by any woman cricketer in the world. The left-handed opener's strike rate is astonishing, considering she has played 50 fewer innings than Bates, who has scored 10,740 runs, and is only 12 innings away from breaking Mithali's record.

Mithali Raj (IND): 10868 – 314 innings

Smriti Mandhana (IND): 10756 – 302 innings

Suzie Bates (NZ): 10740 – 352 innings

With Asia Cup 2022 and a busy international schedule in sight, the in-form opener is confident of bridging the 112-run gap.

India wins Asia Cup Opener by 94 Runs

Mandhana continued her unbeaten run as India posted a dominant 94-run win over Thailand to kick off its Asia Cup campaign. The Women in Blue were asked to bat first and posted a mammoth 159 for 9 in 20 overs in reply to Thailand's 65.

Chasing down the target, India bundled Thailand out for just 65 in 16.1 overs with Nandni Sharma claiming 3 wickets for 18 runs in her four overs, while Deepti Sharma picked up 3 wickets for just 0 runs in her 1.1 overs. Shafali Verma, the explosive opener, struck 64 off 36 balls to power India's reply, while Mandhana added 22 runs off 18 balls in her debut.

India will look to carry this form into their next match when they take on Hong Kong at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 3.