Table of Contents
In a historic moment for Indian cricket, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma etched their names in the record books during the second T20I for India against England at the County Ground in Bristol on Tuesday (July 1).
Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma break world record for most partnership runs in Women’s T20Is
The left-right opening duo became the highest run-scoring pair in Women’s T20 Internationals, surpassing the Australian stalwarts Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney. Entering the match with 2713 runs together, Mandhana and Shafali needed just 8 runs to go past Healy and Mooney’s record of 2720 runs. They achieved this landmark in style, taking 11 runs in the first over itself and stealing a sharp single off the first delivery of the second over, the very run that elevated them to the summit. The pair now has 2727 runs from 79 innings, compared to Healy and Mooney’s 2720 from 84 innings, underscoring not just their quality but also the consistency and efficiency with which they have scored over the years.
This record-breaking feat also comes just days after they set another benchmark, registering their 21st fifty-plus partnership in Women’s T20Is during the first T20I in Nottingham, which is the most by any pair in the format. That stand had overtaken the previous best of 20 by Healy and Mooney. The Indian duo’s consistency has made them a feared opening pair across the cricketing world and a key pillar in India’s ambitions in ICC tournaments.
Most runs as a pair in Women’s T20Is
The updated list of top partnerships in Women’s T20Is for any wicket now sees Mandhana and Shafali leading the way with 2727 runs in 79 innings. They are followed by Australia’s Healy and Mooney with 2720 runs in 84 innings, and New Zealand’s Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine who have scored 2556 runs in 79 innings. Interestingly, the fourth and fifth places are occupied by UAE’s Esha Oza, who features in both pairings with Theertha Satish (1985 runs) and Kavisha Egodage (1976 runs). These statistics reflect not just longevity, but the elite level of performance Mandhana and Shafali have sustained. To surpass a pair like Healy-Mooney, part of multiple World Cup-winning sides is a monumental achievement. Their new record has added another glittering chapter to India’s growing presence and dominance in women’s cricket globally.
| Rank | Pair | Team | Runs | Innings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smriti Mandhana & Shafali Verma | India | 2727 | 79 |
| 2 | Alyssa Healy & Beth Mooney | Australia | 2720 | 84 |
| 3 | Suzie Bates & Sophie Devine | New Zealand | 2556 | 79 |
| 4 | Esha Oza & Theertha Satish | UAE | 1985 | 57 |
| 5 | Kavisha Egodage & Esha Oza | UAE | 1950 | 50 |
Disappointing follow-up in Bristol but legacy secure
Despite the monumental achievement, the pair couldn’t quite deliver a big performance in the second T20I in Bristol. While they began with a flourish, putting on 14 runs in just 10 balls, Shafali was dismissed for just 3 runs off 4 balls by England’s Lauren Filer, who struck early after England opted to bowl first. It was a tame end to what had begun as a record-breaking day. In contrast, their performance in the first T20I at Trent Bridge was more impactful, with a 77-run stand that laid a solid foundation for India’s innings. That game also saw Shafali return to India’s T20I XI after a long break since October 2024. While her innings of 20 in Nottingham looked promising, she failed to capitalize in Bristol. Nevertheless, this brief stumble doesn’t take away from their incredible accomplishment. As a duo, they have already surpassed several milestones and continue to define India’s aggressive approach in the shortest format.
