Smriti Mandhana: 'Start from zero again' after becoming fastest to 10,000 international runs

Smriti Mandhana became the fourth woman and fastest batter to reach 10,000 international runs across formats during India’s T20I vs Sri Lanka.

Smriti Mandhana now has he record of hitting most sixes in WODIs in a calendar year. Image | BCCI on X

Indian women’s cricket star Smriti Mandhana scripted history on December 28, 2025, when she became only the fourth woman in the world to surpass 10,000 runs in international cricket. The left-handed opener achieved the rare feat during the fourth T20I against Sri Lanka at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.

Mandhana reached the landmark in just 281 innings across formats, becoming the fastest woman ever to reach 10,000 international runs, faster than previous greats like Mithali Raj, Suzie Bates and Charlotte Edwards.

Mandhana’s defining moment came with an authoritative 80-run knock off 48 balls, including 11 fours and three sixes, as India posted their highest-ever women’s T20I total of 221/2. The innings also featured a record 162-run opening partnership with Shafali Verma, the highest for any wicket in India’s T20I history. In doing so, Mandhana also became India’s leading six-hitter in T20Is and continued her rich vein of form across formats.

"I mean, that's never the case where we are like, we've done it before. I feel that, in cricket, you have to start from zero again. The scoreboard is always zero for zero. It's never what you've done in the last match or previous series as well," Mandhana said in a video posted on Instagram by the indiancricketteam.

She made my job a lot easier: Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana has appreciated her opening partner Shafali Verma's batting and how she has taken off pressure from Mandhana. Verma is known for her attacking gameplay and has performed brilliantly in the previous match. She also scored 79 off 46 balls in the 4th T20I against Sri Lanka.

"Batting with Shafali is always a treat for the eyes. The way she started, she made my job a lot easier. I could take my time, rotate strike, and get into rhythm while she did most of the heavy hitting early on. We complement each other really well - we understand whose day it is and play accordingly. And I’m really happy with how much she’s matured with her batting," said Smriti Mandhana at the post-match presentation.

Where to watch India-W vs Sri Lanka-W match?

Cricket fans in India can watch the India-W vs Sri Lanka-W match on December 31 online on JioHotstar, via OTTplay Premium.

Also read: Former India bowler blames Test series loss against SA on Kohli-Rohit transition, makes eye-opening claim

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