Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: Smriti Mandhana Eyes Mithali Raj’s Record Against South Africa

New Delhi

The Indian women’s cricket team has enjoyed an excellent start to its Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, securing victories over Pakistan and the Netherlands in its opening two matches. Star opener and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has played a crucial role in both wins with her outstanding batting performances.

Against the Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team, Mandhana scored 68 runs off 44 balls, smashing two sixes and nine fours to help India register a 64-run victory.

She followed it up with another impressive knock against the Netherlands Women’s Cricket Team, scoring 74 runs from 47 deliveries, including one six and 11 boundaries. Her innings powered India to a massive total of 209 runs, which eventually resulted in a commanding 95-run win.

Mandhana has been in exceptional form during the tournament and currently leads the run-scoring charts. She is now on the verge of achieving a major milestone in Women’s T20 World Cup history.

Former India captain Mithali Raj is currently India’s second-highest run-scorer in Women’s T20 World Cup history, having accumulated 726 runs in 23 innings across 24 matches between 2009 and 2018.

Mandhana is just 61 runs away from surpassing Mithali’s tally. If she scores 61 or more runs against the South Africa Women’s Cricket Team on June 21, she will become India’s second-highest run-scorer in Women’s T20 World Cup history and climb to 12th place on the overall list of leading run-getters in the tournament.

At present, India’s highest run-scorer in Women’s T20 World Cup history is current captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who has scored 774 runs in 35 innings across 41 matches. Harmanpreet currently occupies eighth place on the all-time list and remains the only Indian batter in the overall top 10.

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