When it comes to naming the icons of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Smriti Mandhana all find their names alongside many greats of the game. On Friday, it was the women who overshadowed the men, as Mandhana rewrote record books of the T20Is regardless of the gender.
Mandhana was in action during India women's first T20I of the five-match series in South Africa, which took place at Kingsmead, Durban. Even though she could make only 13 off 14 balls before losing her wicket to Ayabonga Khaka, it was enough for the 29-year-old to reach the top of a record where Kohli and Rohit used to be there.
Mandhana Pips Kohli, Rohit To Become India's Top T20I Run-Getter
On her 161st T20I match, Mandhana became the leading run-getter for India. Of course, she will stay there for a while, with Kohli and Rohit no longer in action in the format since winning the T20 World Cup.
Mandhana has now got 4244 runs in T20Is. Rohit, on the other hand, had 4231 runs in 159 matches, while Kohli made 4188 runs in 125 games.
For those who are unaware, New Zealand’s Suzie Bates is the leading run-getter in T20Is for women. Bates has tallied 4717 runs in 181 matches, whom Mandhana is chasing.
Among men, Babar Azam is the leading T20I run-getter in men, having aggregated 4596 runs in 145 matches.
Names
Matches
Runs
Strike Rate
S Mandhana
161*
4244
124.38
H Kaur
191*
3854
109.05
JI Rodrigues
119*
2587
117.75
Shafali Verma
99*
2553
135.22
[Most T20I Runs From India For Women]
Shafali Verma Gives India A Solid Start
While Mandhana did not do much for India women on Friday, her partner-in-crime Shafali Verma did wonders from the other end. With five fours and one six, Verma made 32 off just 20 balls to take India off to a decent start.
Jemimah Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur carried the momentum for India. While Rodrigues fell after making 36 off 29 deliveries, Kaur is still going strong, batting on 32* off 24 balls.
Debutant Kashvee Gautam is in the middle alongside Kaur, as India are 128/4 after 16.2 overs.
India W Vs South Africa W Full Schedule
There will be five T20Is between India and South Africa women, which began on April 17. The first T20I is taking place in Durban, while the second will be at the same venue, on Sunday, April 19.
The third and fourth T20Is between India and South Africa will be hosted by The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, on April 22 and April 25 respectively.
The last the final T20I of the series is scheduled for April 27, with Benoni’s Willowmoore Park set to host the match.
The last the final T20I of the series is scheduled for April 27, with Benoni’s Willowmoore Park set to host the match. Notably, there won’t be any other match in any format in India women’s tour of South Africa.
Smriti Mandhana Leaves Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Behind (Source: AFP Photos)
