In a moment that will echo through the annals of Indian cricket, Smriti Mandhana has officially crossed the monumental 10,000-run mark in international cricket. She achieved this historic feat during India’s T20I against Sri Lanka, becoming only the second Indian woman—after Mithali Raj—to reach this elite milestone . But what truly sets her apart? She’s now among the fastest players in the world to do it across all formats.
This isn’t just another stat on a spreadsheet—it’s a testament to consistency, elegance, and sheer longevity at the highest level. At just 28, Mandhana has already cemented her legacy as one of the greatest batters in women’s cricket history. And with her captaincy debut for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL), her star is only set to rise further.
Table of Contents
- The Historic Innings: Smriti Mandhana’s 10,000-Run Milestone
- Breaking Down the Numbers: Smriti Mandhana’s Career Stats
- How Does She Compare Globally?
- The Path to Greatness: Key Moments in Her Career
- What’s Next? Captaincy and the Women’s Premier League
- Why This Milestone Matters for Indian Cricket
- Conclusion: A Legend in the Making
- Sources
The Historic Innings: Smriti Mandhana’s 10,000-Run Milestone
During the high-stakes T20I clash against Sri Lanka, Smriti Mandhana needed just 28 runs to reach the 10,000-run landmark. With a classy cover drive off Oshadi Ranasinghe, she sealed her place in history . The crowd erupted, teammates mobbed her at the crease, and social media lit up with tributes from legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.
More impressively, Mandhana reached this mark in just 236 international innings—making her one of the fastest women to do so globally, and the quickest among Indian women. For context, Mithali Raj took 289 innings to achieve the same milestone.
Breaking Down the Numbers: Smriti Mandhana’s Career Stats
Mandhana’s journey to 10,000 runs spans all three formats, showcasing her adaptability and dominance:
- ODIs: Over 3,500 runs at an average of 44.00+, including 7 centuries
- T20Is: More than 2,900 runs, with a strike rate hovering near 125
- Tests: Though fewer in number, she holds the record for the highest individual score by an Indian woman in Tests in England (127 at Taunton, 2021)
She’s also the only Indian woman to score centuries in all three formats and holds the record for the fastest fifty by an Indian in Women’s T20Is (off just 24 balls).
How Does She Compare Globally?
Globally, the 10,000-run club in women’s cricket remains extremely exclusive. Only eight players have crossed this threshold as of 2025. Among them, Smriti Mandhana stands out for her pace of accumulation. According to data from the International Cricket Council (ICC), she ranks in the top 3 for fastest to 10K runs when measured by innings played .
Players like Australia’s Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry reached the milestone faster in calendar years, but Mandhana’s consistency across conditions—and against top-tier bowling attacks—cements her as a truly world-class batter.
The Path to Greatness: Key Moments in Her Career
Mandhana’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric:
- 2013: Made her international debut at just 16 years old.
- 2016: Named ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year—the first Indian woman to receive the honor.
- 2018: Scored a breathtaking 114* off 91 balls against Australia in the World T20—a knock hailed as one of the greatest in women’s T20 history.
- 2022: Led India to the final of the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.
- 2025: Reaches 10,000 international runs and is named captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru for WPL 2026.
Each milestone wasn’t just about runs—it was about redefining what Indian women could achieve on the global stage.
What’s Next? Captaincy and the Women’s Premier League
Right after the Sri Lanka series, Mandhana will don a new leadership role: captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2026 Women’s Premier League. This move signals BCCI’s and franchise owners’ immense faith in her tactical acumen and emotional intelligence.
With her experience, star power, and proven ability to perform under pressure, she’s the ideal leader to build a title-contending WPL side. As noted by ESPNcricinfo, “Mandhana’s calm demeanor and strategic thinking make her a natural captain—on and off the field” .
Why This Milestone Matters for Indian Cricket
Mandhana’s achievement goes beyond personal glory. It’s a beacon for millions of young girls dreaming of playing cricket in India. Her success shows that with talent, discipline, and opportunity, Indian women can compete—and dominate—on the world stage.
Moreover, her milestone arrives at a time when women’s cricket in India is experiencing unprecedented growth—boosted by the WPL, packed stadiums, and massive TV viewership. Every record she breaks helps normalize excellence in women’s sport.
Conclusion: A Legend in the Making
Smriti Mandhana isn’t just writing history—she’s rewriting the future of Indian cricket. At 10,000 runs and counting, she’s already a legend. But with captaincy duties, WPL stardom, and more international battles ahead, her story is far from over. One thing’s for sure: when future generations look back at the golden era of Indian women’s cricket, they’ll point to this moment as the turning point.
Follow more of her journey in our feature on [INTERNAL_LINK:smriti-mandhana-career-highlights].
Sources
- Times of India. (2025). Smriti Mandhana scripts history; joins elite club to become the fastest to… Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/smriti-mandhana-scripts-history-joins-elite-club-to-become-the-fastest-to/articleshow/126217192.cms
- International Cricket Council (ICC). (2025). Women’s Player Career Stats & Milestones. https://www.icc-cricket.com
- ESPNcricinfo. (2025). Smriti Mandhana: The Making of a Modern Great. https://www.espncricinfo.com
- BCCI. (2025). WPL 2026 Team Announcements.