Smriti Mandhana's Record-Breaking Hundred Powers India Into Women's Asia Cup Semi-Finals
Smriti Mandhana produced a breathtaking 64-ball century to power India to a commanding 137-run victory over Hong Kong on Thursday, sealing the team's place in the Women's Asia Cup semi-finals.
Mandhana smashed 124 runs off 64 balls, including seven sixes and 14 boundaries, as India posted 193 for five. Her spectacular knock also saw her rewrite two major records in women's international cricket.
The left-hander registered her 18th international century across formats, moving past former Australia captain Meg Lanning's tally of 17. She also overtook Indian great Mithali Raj, who had scored 10,868 runs, to become the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket.
Mandhana reached her landmark century in the 17th over before adding two more sixes in the following over to move beyond Mithali's career run tally.
The Indian opener initially took time to settle but soon shifted gears, putting together a 74-run opening partnership with Shafali Verma. Shafali contributed 28 from 17 balls, including a late burst during the powerplay that produced 22 runs in the final over.
Hong Kong's bowlers struggled to maintain their lines and repeatedly offered loose deliveries, allowing India's batters to keep the scoreboard moving. Attempts to contain Mandhana by bowling outside off stump also failed to restrict the experienced opener.
Pratika Rawal, batting at No. 3 in her first T20 series, made 10 from 12 deliveries before being caught at cover. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored 10 off nine balls, while Richa Ghosh made 11 off 13, with both departing while attempting attacking aerial shots.
India's bowlers then completed the job in emphatic fashion.
Hong Kong, making its first appearance in the Asia Cup since 2012, struggled to find answers against India's pace attack. The hosts could manage only 56 runs in 16.2 overs, with India taking wickets at regular intervals.
Pacer Nandni Sharma made an early impact by producing a sharp delivery that moved both ways to dismiss opener Mariko Hill. The rest of the Hong Kong batting line-up found it equally difficult to counter India's disciplined attack.
Hong Kong managed just 16 runs for the loss of one wicket during the powerplay, leaving them with little realistic chance of chasing down the imposing target.
The result marked India's second victory in as many matches and underlined their status as the tournament's leading contenders. India will now face Pakistan on Saturday in their next match.
Mandhana admitted after the game that she was unaware of the records she had broken during her innings.
“I didn't know all of this happened,” she said when told about her record-breaking performance.
She also praised Hong Kong's bowlers for their discipline despite the gulf between the two sides.
“It's really hard for me to play slower bowlers, but credit to them. They were really disciplined in the powerplay. They bowled pretty well, and the kind of energy they showed was something which we all can learn from. Having said that, I just love batting, and I'm happy that I could contribute,” Mandhana said.
“There are days where you hit balls from the stumps as well. There are days where you don't, and there are days where you edge one from the fourth or fifth stump,” the India opener added.
With Mandhana in record-breaking form and India's bowling attack proving equally dominant, the defending side now enters the knockout stage with significant momentum. ALSO READ: Dhoni Has Ruled Out Continuing as an Impact Player, Reveals Badrinath
