Asia Cup: India storm into semis as Mandhana’s record 124, spin blitz crush Hong Kong

Namaste cricket family! 🙏 Let me share something that had me doing little celebratory adavus in my living room last night.

India storm into Women's Asia Cup semis with a masterclass

In Dubai, India delivered a performance that was as graceful as it was devastating. Chasing nothing in particular (well, setting the target!), India posted a imposing 193/5 after Hong Kong won the toss and chose to field first.

Mandhana's record-shattering 124

Smriti Mandhana reminded everyone why she's the queen of the crease. Shifting gears dramatically after a shaky start (Shafali Verma gave a brisk 28 off 17 before going), Mandhana took complete control. She reached her fifty in 40 balls and her century in just 57 deliveries, finishing a sensational 124 off 64 balls with 14 fours and 7 sixes at a blistering 193.75 SR.

But the numbers on the scoreboard pale in comparison to what this innings achieved:

- It's her 18th international century, surpassing Meg Lanning's 17 to become the leading centurymaker in women's international cricket

- She broke Chamari Athapaththu's record for the highest individual score in Women's T20 Asia Cup history, smashing past the unbeaten 119

Her dismissal via a run-out mixup with Bharti Fulmali in the final over came too late to stop India from reaching a formidable total.

Spin blitz shuts down Hong Kong

The bowling was equally hypnotic in its efficiency. India's spin-heavy attack strangled Hong Kong's chase from the very start, slipping them to 32/3. Deepti Sharma led the charge with a stunning 3/9 from just 3 overs, removing key batters Natasha Miles and Yasmin Daswani.

Prema Rawat, Nandani Sharma and Shree Charani kept the pressure mounting, with Charani copping the spotlight for a sharp stumping of Shanzeen Shahzad (wickets kept falling like dominoes). Hong Kong were bowled out for a meagre 56 in 16.2 overs—a crushing 137-run defeat.

India's spotless place in the semifinals is now sealed. What a performance to celebrate! 💛💚

What's your take on Mandhana crossing Lanning's record? Drop your thoughts below!

Source: Times of India