Indian opener Smriti Mandhana was just 62 runs away from surpassing Shubman Gill's impressive tally of 1,764 international runs in 2025. However, she did not get the chance to claim this historic record. Mandhana was rested for the fifth and final T20 International against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, effectively ending her pursuit for the calendar year's highest run-scorer across both men's and women's cricket.[sports]
Mandhana had accumulated 1,703 runs across all formats this calendar year, marking the most runs by any woman cricketer in a single year. Her consistent performance placed her on the cusp of an unprecedented achievement that would have seen her outscore all international cricketers, male or female, for the year.[timesofindia+5]
A Record-Breaking Year for Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana has experienced an outstanding 2025, showcasing her talent and dominance in women's cricket. She became the second Indian woman and only the fourth overall to reach the significant milestone of 10,000 runs in international cricket across all formats. This achievement solidified her position among the sport's elite, joining legends like Mithali Raj, Suzie Bates, and Charlotte Edwards. Mandhana also holds the distinction of being the fastest woman to reach this 10,000-run mark, doing so in 281 innings.[timesofindia+11]
Her year included becoming the first Indian woman to score centuries in all three international formats: Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). This demonstrates her versatility and ability to perform across different game demands. In ODIs alone, Mandhana scored 1,362 runs in 2025, topping the charts as the highest run-scorer in the format for the year. She also registered the fastest ODI century by an Indian, achieving the feat in just 50 balls against Australia.[en+6]
Mandhana's form leading into the final Sri Lanka T20I was exceptional. In the fourth T20I of the series, she played a commanding innings of 80 runs off 48 balls. This knock helped India post their highest women's T20I total of 221 for 2 and secured a 4-0 series lead against Sri Lanka. Her performance in that match underscored her ability to score quickly and effectively, making the prospect of her breaking Gill's record seem highly probable.[timesofindia+4]
Shubman Gill's Dominant 2025
Shubman Gill, the captain of India's Test and ODI teams, had a remarkable 2025, setting the benchmark for international run-scoring among men. He amassed a total of 1,764 runs across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is in 35 matches and 42 innings. This made him the leading run-scorer in international cricket for the year among male players.[sportskeeda+5]
Gill's year was highlighted by seven centuries and three half-centuries, showcasing his consistency and ability to convert starts into big scores. He maintained an average of 49 and a strike rate of 76.46 in international matches in 2025. His significant contributions were crucial for India, especially in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which India won with Gill as vice-captain. He entered the tournament as the highest-ranked ODI batter and scored an unbeaten century in the first group game against Bangladesh.[sportskeeda+5]
Throughout his career, Gill has quickly established himself as a prominent batter. He is the fastest player to reach 2,000 and 2,500 runs in ODI cricket, achieving these milestones in 38 and 50 innings respectively. He also holds the record for being the youngest cricketer to score a double century in ODIs, a feat he accomplished at the age of 23. Gill's consistent performances and leadership qualities have made him a vital part of the Indian men's cricket setup across all formats.[en+6]
The Significance of the Tally
The pursuit of the highest international run-scorer in a calendar year, irrespective of gender, highlights a growing trend in cricket. It underscores the increasing visibility and performance levels in women's cricket, allowing for direct comparisons with men's statistical achievements. Smriti Mandhana's near-record performance in 2025 is a testament to the strides women's cricket has made globally and in India.
Such cross-gender comparisons bring a unique dimension to cricketing narratives. They celebrate individual brilliance and provide a broader perspective on the sport's top performers. Mandhana's consistent run-scoring throughout 2025 positioned her as a global cricketing powerhouse, capable of competing with the best across the sport.
Missed Opportunity and Future Prospects
Despite her exceptional year, Mandhana's opportunity to surpass Gill's 2025 run tally was curtailed. The Indian team management opted to rest the star batter for the final T20I against Sri Lanka. This decision likely aimed to manage her workload, especially given India had already secured an unassailable 4-0 lead in the five-match series. The team prioritized giving other players a chance and ensuring key players remained fresh.[sports+5]
While missing the record in 2025 might be a slight disappointment, Mandhana's overall impact and form remain undiminished. Her consistent performances throughout the year have set new standards for women's cricket. She will undoubtedly continue to be a pivotal player for India in upcoming international assignments.
Smriti Mandhana's impressive 2025 season, marked by significant milestones and prolific run-scoring, reinforces her status as one of the world's premier batters. Although she narrowly missed out on becoming the highest international run-scorer across all genders for the year, her achievements highlight a groundbreaking period for women's cricket.
