Suzie Bates of New Zealand leads the all-time list for most runs in women’s T20I cricket with 4,716 runs from 174 innings. Smriti Mandhana of India follows closely with 4,022 runs, highlighting the depth of talent in the format.
Top 10 Most Runs in Women’s T20I Cricket History
These players dominate the women’s T20I run charts through consistency, power, and longevity as of late 2025.
| Rank | Player | Country | Innings | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suzie Bates† | New Zealand | 174 | 4,716 | 29.11 | 1 | 28 |
| 2 | Smriti Mandhana† | India | 150 | 4,022 | 29.57 | 1 | 31 |
| 3 | Harmanpreet Kaur† | India | 165 | 3,700 | 28.90 | 1 | 14 |
| 4 | Chamari Athapaththu† | Sri Lanka | 146 | 3,507 | 25.23 | 3 | 13 |
| 5 | Sophie Devine† | New Zealand | 142 | 3,431 | 28.12 | 1 | 21 |
| 6 | Stafanie Taylor† | West Indies | 123 | 3,426 | ~35 | 0 | 22 |
| 7 | Meg Lanning | Australia | 132 | 3,405 | 36.61 | 2 | 15 |
| 8 | Beth Mooney† | Australia | 106 | 3,381 | 42.26 | 2 | 27 |
| 9 | Danni Wyatt-Hodge† | England | 157 | 3,335 | ~22 | 1 | 22 |
| 10 | Alyssa Healy | Australia | 146 | 3,054 | 25.45 | 1 | 17 |
Suzie Bates’ Dominance
Suzie Bates holds the record with remarkable longevity across nearly two decades. Her 4,716 runs include one century and 28 fifties, achieved at a strike rate of around 108. As an opener, she amassed 4,435 runs in that position alone, anchoring New Zealand’s innings repeatedly. Bates’ consistency shines in high-pressure scenarios, including World Cups, making her the benchmark for T20I batting endurance.
Indian Stars’ Rise
Smriti Mandhana’s elegant left-handed strokeplay has propelled her to second place with 4,022 runs and 31 fifties. Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s captain, follows with 3,700 runs, featuring a memorable 103 in the 2018 T20 World Cup semi-final that showcased her finishing prowess. Both players embody India’s growing force in women’s T20Is, blending finesse with aggression to chase totals and set platforms.
Power Hitters Breakdown
Chamari Athapaththu stands out with three T20I centuries, including 119*, fueling Sri Lanka’s upsets against top teams. Sophie Devine combines 3,431 runs with 114 sixes, her explosive 18-ball fifty joint-fastest in the format. Beth Mooney’s high average of 42.26 reflects her reliability, while Meg Lanning’s 133* remains a classy highlight before her retirement. These batters excel in strike rates above 115, pressuring bowlers relentlessly.
Key Milestones
- Fastest T20I fifty: 18 balls by Sophie Devine (vs India, 2015) and others like Richa Ghosh.
- Highest individual score: 169 by Lucia Taylor (Argentina vs Chile, 2023), though top-10 players focus on consistency over one-offs.
- Most 50+ scores: Smriti Mandhana with 32, edging Bates’ 29.
- Opening partnerships: Mandhana – Shafali Verma hold 2,945 runs together for India.
These feats underscore how T20Is reward adaptability in women’s cricket.
Emerging Trends
Active players marked with † dominate the top 10, signaling sustained excellence from nations like India, New Zealand, and Australia. Strike rates have risen, with Richa Ghosh at 142.40, reflecting the format’s evolution toward aggression. Indians like Mandhana and Kaur highlight Asia’s surge, while retirees like Lanning left legacies in World Cup triumphs. Records update frequently, with 2025 seeing Esha Oza score 779 runs in a calendar year.
Impact on Women’s Cricket
Top run-scorers have elevated T20Is from niche to global spectacle, drawing crowds and inspiring investments. Bates’ endurance mirrors Mithali Raj’s ODI records, bridging formats. Their knocks in chases like Australia’s 213 defended by West Indies show tactical depth. As the ICC expands tournaments, expect boundary counts to climb, with all-rounders like Devine adding value. This list fuels debates on greatest-ever, blending stats with clutch performances.
