A Milestone Beyond Numbers: Smriti Mandhana Joins the 10,000-Run Club

X: @anjanasasi

Kozhikode: When Smriti Mandhana crossed the landmark of 10,000 international runs, she did more than reach a personal milestone; she entered an elite global club and reinforced her place among the defining figures of modern women’s cricket.

Mandhana became only the second Indian woman, after Mithali Raj, to achieve the feat. Globally, only Suzie Bates and Charlotte Edwards have crossed the 10,000-run mark for women’s internationals, underscoring the rarity and significance of Mandhana’s achievement.

Her path to five digits has been calm, graceful, and unending, just like her batting. Mandhana has been the most famous face of women’s cricket for a generation, bringing it from the edges of the sport to the middle of the debate.

A Landmark Innings, A Historic Moment

Mandhana reached the milestone with a fluent 80 off 48 balls, an innings that encapsulated her career, controlled aggression, clarity of intent, and a sense of occasion without excess. That knock took her T20I tally to 4,102 runs from 157 matches, completing a remarkable all-format journey.

Her current international record totals 10,053 runs, which includes:

• Tests: 629 runs from 7 matches
• ODIs: 5,322 runs from 117 matches
• T20Is: 4,102 runs from 157 matches

These numbers reflect not just longevity but adaptability, excelling in formats that demand contrasting skills and mindsets.

A Career Built on Consistency and Responsibility

There was never a rush to get Mandhana to the top. She took on more and more responsibilities, going from her maiden game as a teenager to being India’s first-choice opener in all formats. What makes her stand out is that she has been able to stay relevant, dominant, and dependable in international cricket for more than ten years.

Her runs have come in tournaments, overseas tours, and high-pressure games, when India typically needed help at the top of the order. Environments, not personal milestones, have shaped Mandhana’s career. She reads situations and answers with authority.

Style That Redefined the Top Order

Mandhana’s batting is synonymous with elegance, but beneath the aesthetics lies solid technique. Her balance at the crease, decisive footwork, and early judgement of length make her one of the most technically sound batters of her era. The cover drive, now iconic, is both a visual signature and a technical statement.

Beyond style, Mandhana has transformed India’s approach to the powerplay. She has consistently taken the game to bowlers without recklessness, combining aggression with awareness. This combination transformed India’s white-ball identity, enabling the team to initiate games with a competitive advantage.

Records, Rankings, and Elite Company

Mandhana’s current position on the all-time list of women’s international run-scorers reinforces her place among the greats.

Most runs in women’s international cricket: 

• Mithali Raj (India): 10,868 runs (314 innings)
• Suzie Bates (New Zealand): 10,652 runs (343 innings)
• Charlotte Edwards (England): 10,273 runs (316 innings)
• Smriti Mandhana (India): 10,053 runs (280 innings)

What stands out is efficiency. Mandhana reached the mark in fewer innings than several peers, highlighting her consistency and scoring rate. With Mithali Raj having retired on 10,868 runs, Mandhana now has a realistic opportunity to surpass the Indian record and move further up the global list.

She has also been a regular in the ICC’s top rankings for ODIs, often being one of the best batters in the world. She has won many ICC awards, including ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year and ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year.

A Global Star, Grounded at Home

Mandhana’s influence extends beyond Indian cricket. Her success in leagues such as the WBBL, The Hundred, and the Women’s Premier League made her one of the first Indian women’s batters to be recognised as a global franchise star. She was also the first Indian woman to score a century in the WBBL, normalising India’s presence at the highest levels of overseas leagues.

At home, she stays low-key, leading by example instead of by making big statements. As women’s cricket in India increased in popularity and size, Mandhana became the sport’s most lasting symbol.

What 10,000 Runs Truly Represent

In women’s cricket, where opportunities were once limited by fewer matches and less exposure, 10,000 runs represent endurance as much as excellence. Each run reflects years of travel, adaptation, scrutiny, and mental resilience in a rapidly evolving sport.

For young girls watching from school grounds and academies, Mandhana’s milestone confirms that women’s cricket in India is no longer an exception. It is a pathway.

Also Read: Shefali Verma: From Tournament Substitute to World Cup Match-Winner

A Legacy Still in Motion

At an age when many batters are still peaking, Mandhana’s journey feels far from complete. Her hunger remains intact, her technique dependable, and her role within the Indian team as central as ever. The 10,000-run mark is not a conclusion; it is a waypoint.

Smriti Mandhana’s greatness lies not only in what she has achieved but also in how naturally she has carried Indian women’s cricket into a new era, one defined by confidence, professionalism, and belief.

In crossing 10,000 international runs, she has not merely made history. She has claimed her place among its architects.