Team India’s opening batsman Smriti Mandhana registered her name in the record books during the first Women’s T20 International match against South Africa. The left-handed batsman overtook legendary cricketer Rohit Sharma to become the highest run-scorer representing India in the shortest format of the game in international cricket.
South Africa defeated India by six wickets in the series opener at Kingsmead, Durban on Friday, 17 April. Captain Laura Wolvaardt led from the front by scoring a vital inning of 51 runs off 39 balls and guided the home team during the run chase. South Africa completed the target of 158 runs with five balls remaining.
Smriti Mandhana surpasses Rohit Sharma to become India’s leading T20I run-scorer
Before the match, Smriti Mandhana was equal to Rohit Sharma in terms of scoring most T20I runs for India. Rohit ended his career with 4,231 runs, which included five centuries and 32 half-centuries, before retiring after India’s 2024 World Cup win.
Mandhana produced a relatively calm performance, scoring 13 runs including a six off 14 balls before being dismissed by Ayabonga Khaka. The 28-year-old still managed to overtake Rohit Sharma and break the long-standing national record.
After the match, Mandhana has scored 4,244 runs in 161 matches at an average of 30.53 and a strike rate of 124.45 with 33 half-centuries and one century.
Top five highest run scorers for Team India in T20Is:
| player | Team | Turn | it goes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | india women | 155 | 4,244 |
| Rohit Sharma | india man | 151 | 4,231 |
| Virat Kohli | india man | 117 | 4,188 |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | india women | 169 | 3,822 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | india man | 107 | 3,272 |
Smriti Mandhana moves to third place in all-time T20I run-scorer list
Smriti Mandhana moved up to third place among global run-scorers in both men’s and women’s T20 Internationals. New Zealand’s experienced Suzie Bates holds the women’s record by scoring 4,717 runs in 175 innings during her international career.
Pakistan batsman Babar Azam tops the men’s charts with 4,596 runs in 136 innings. With Bates close to 38 years of age and Babar Azam facing selection uncertainty, the 28-year-old Indian vice-captain has a strong chance of challenging the global record in the coming years.
Top five highest run scorers in T20Is (men and women combined):
| player | Team | Turn | it goes |
|---|---|---|---|
| suzie bates | new zealand women | 175 | 4,717 |
| Babar Azam | pakistan men | 136 | 4,596 |
| Smriti Mandhana | india women | 155 | 4,244 |
| Rohit Sharma | india man | 151 | 4,231 |
| Virat Kohli | india man | 117 | 4,188 |
India lost by six wickets in the first T20 match against South Africa.
Shafali Verma gave an explosive start to India by scoring 34 runs in 20 balls. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur remained unbeaten on 47 runs in 33 balls, while Jemimah Rodrigues played a valuable inning of 36 runs. He helped India score 157 runs for the loss of seven wickets.
Ayabonga Khaka gave an excellent bowling performance and took three important wickets for 16 runs. Tumi Sekhukhune also impressed by breaking important partnerships and taking two important wickets, preventing the Indian batting lineup from reaching a more challenging score.
During the chase, Laura Wolvaardt led from the front and attacked during the power play. Anne Dirksen remained unbeaten on 44 off 34 balls, leading South Africa to a comfortable six-wicket win and helping the hosts take a 1-0 lead in the series.
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