Smriti Mandhana surpasses Rohit Sharma to become India’s leading T20I run-scorer, marking a historic milestone in Indian cricket.
On April 17, 2026, Smriti Mandhana surpassed Rohit Sharma to become India's leading run-scorer in T20 Internationals (T20Is) across both men’s and women’s cricket. Mandhana achieved the milestone during the opening match of a five-match T20I series against South Africa in Durban. Entering the game level with Rohit Sharma at 4,231 runs, she secured the record with a single off the second ball of the innings.
Leading players to score the most T20I runs for India now include, the former Mens T20I players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli with 4231 in 159 matches and 4188 runs in 125 matches. Smriti Mandhana has now outscored both of them with 4244 runs in 161 matches. Mandhana is now the third-highest run-scorer in T20I history globally, trailing only New Zealand's Suzie Bates (4,717 runs) and Pakistan's Babar Azam (4,596 runs).Her 33 fifties are the most by any player in women's T20I history. Mandhana also holds the record for the most 50+ scores by an Indian in T20Is, surpassing both Rohit Sharma (32) and Virat Kohli (31).
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Indian Women team defeated by 6 wickets
South Africa Women defeated India Women by 6 wickets in the first T20I at Kingsmead, Durban, on April 17, 2026. South Africa now leads the five-match series 1-0. India was invited to bat first and posted a total of 157/7. South Africa successfully chased the target of 158 with 5 balls to spare, finishing at 158/4 in 19.1 overs. India was well-placed at 119/2 in the 15th over but managed only 38 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the final six overs.
India conceded 14 wides and dropped two crucial catches at the death, involving Chloe Tryon and Annerie Dercksen.Despite the loss, Smriti Mandhana (13 runs) became India's highest T20I run-scorer during her innings. The second T20I is scheduled for Sunday, April 19, 2026, at the same venue.
Following Mandhana’s record-breaking moment, the series remains highly competitive as both teams prepare for the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup starting this June.
