Smriti Mandhana achieves big milestone in international cricket as India thrash Sri Lanka with bat

India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana added another glorious chapter to her career on Sunday as she completed 10,000 international runs during the fourth T20I against Sri Lanka at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.

Mandhana became only the fourth woman batter in world cricket to reach the landmark and just the second Indian after Mithali Raj to achieve the feat. She came into the match needing 27 runs and reached the milestone in style.

Before the game, Mandhana had scored 9,972 runs across 279 international matches in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. With this achievement, she joined an elite list that includes Mithali Raj, Suzie Bates and Charlotte Edwards.

Most international runs in women’s cricket

India had already sealed the five-match T20I series 3-0 , but the batters showed no mercy in the fourth game. After Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and opted to bowl, Mandhana and Shafali Verma came out with clear intent. The opening pair dominated the powerplay, racing to 61 without loss in the first six overs.

Mandhana played the anchor role while Shafali went after the bowling, and the duo stitched together a massive opening stand. Mandhana eventually scored a classy 80 off 48 balls, hitting 11 fours and three sixes, before being dismissed in the 17th over. Shafali was equally destructive, smashing 79 off 46 balls as India piled on the runs.

Wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh then provided the finishing touches with a blistering unbeaten 40 off just 16 balls, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur chipped in with a quick 16 not out. India ended with a huge total of 221 for 2 in 20 overs.

Sri Lanka were 116 for 2 at the time of writing this story as the required run rate continued to climb steeply. Needing 106 runs from the last 42 balls at a required rate of over 15 an over, Sri Lanka’s hopes now rest heavily on their batters to score big.