Over the years, India’s women’s cricket team has produced some of the finest batters in the sport. From Mithali Raj’s grace to Smriti Mandhana’s modern flair, each World Cup has showcased Indian players who carried the team’s hopes with the bat. The 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup has added another glorious chapter as Smriti Mandhana set a new Indian record for the most runs in a single edition. Let’s look at the top five prolific Indian batters who made history in Women’s World Cups, breaking barriers and rewriting record books.
1. Smriti Mandhana – 434 Runs (2025)
Smriti Mandhana’s 2025 World Cup campaign was nothing short of phenomenal. The elegant left-hander became the 2nd Indian woman after former Indian skipper Mithali Raj to cross 400 runs in a single ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, amassing 434 runs with remarkable consistency and composure. Her campaign started with early dismissals, just 8 and 23 runs against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, respectively. She faced another tough outing against South Africa, getting out for 23 runs from 32 balls after starting well. However, Smriti found her form against Australia, smashing 80 runs off 66 balls, featuring nine boundaries and three sixes.
Her crucial 88 runs in 94 balls against England helped India in a challenging match that was restricted by England’s bowlers. Her best performance came against New Zealand, where she formed a crucial partnership of 212 runs with her opening partner, Pratika Rawal. Smriti scored 109 runs off 95 balls, boasting a strike rate of 114.73 with 10 boundaries and four sixes. Unfortunately, she couldn’t continue her run in the semi-final against Australia and scored 24 runs off 24 balls in a tense chase. In the final, despite looking set to score big, she fell for 45 runs to Chloe Tryon’s disciplined delivery. With an aggregate of 434 runs at an average of 54.25 in nine innings, Mandhana surpassed Mithali Raj’s previous record of 409 runs from 2017, proving her ability to deliver when it mattered most.
2. Mithali Raj – 409 Runs (2017)
Mithali Raj’s 2017 World Cup was the epitome of class and consistency. The veteran Indian captain led from the front, accumulating 409 runs in nine matches at an average of 45.44. Her campaign kicked off with a fluent 71 against England in Derby, followed by 46 against West Indies at Taunton and a disappointing 8 against Pakistan. Mithali bounced back with 53 against Sri Lanka, and although she had a rare duck against South Africa, she delivered a brilliant 69 against Australia in Bristol.
One of her finest innings came when she scored a match-winning 109 against New Zealand in a crucial game at Derby. In the semifinals, she added 36 runs against Australia, finishing with 17 in the final at Lord’s against England. Her innings showcased her ability to anchor and accelerate as needed, guiding India into their second-ever World Cup final. With her calm authority and shot placement, she became the heartbeat of India’s batting that year, inspiring a generation of cricketers who followed.
3. Punam Raut – 381 Runs (2017)
The 2017 World Cup was memorable for Punam Raut, who displayed immense grit and technical finesse at the top of the order. She scored 381 runs over nine innings, anchoring India’s batting during crucial matches. Starting strong with an 86 against England, she faced a rare duck versus the West Indies but quickly recovered to score 47 against Pakistan.
After a brief slump with scores of 16 against Sri Lanka and 22 against South Africa, she produced a career-defining 106 against Australia in Bristol, which was undoubtedly one of the tournament’s standout performances. While she managed 4 against New Zealand and 14 in the semifinal against Australia, she concluded her World Cup run with another impressive 86 against England in the final at Lord’s. Her performance underscored her consistency and composure under pressure, finishing as India’s second-highest scorer from that tournament.
4. Harmanpreet Kaur – 359 Runs (2017)
Harmanpreet Kaur delivered one of the most memorable campaigns in Women’s World Cup history in 2017, combining grit and brilliance across various venues. She began her tournament with an unbeaten 24 against England in Derby but didn’t get the opportunity to bat during the second match against the West Indies. After scores of 10 against Pakistan, 20 against Sri Lanka, and a rare duck against South Africa, she regained her rhythm with 23 versus Australia and a remarkable 60 against New Zealand in Derby.
However, her signature moment came in the semi-final clash against Australia, where she unleashed a breathtaking 171* off 115 balls, leading India to the final for the 2nd time. It is also the highest individual score in a semi-final. She capped off her tournament with a fighting 51, etching her name in the record books for her extraordinary performances. Harmanpreet Kaur scored 359 runs in 8 innings with a brilliant century and two half-centuries.
5. Smriti Mandhana – 327 Runs (2022)
Smriti Mandhana truly stepped up for India during the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022, proving to be a key player in the batting lineup. She kicked off her campaign with a solid 52 against Pakistan in Mount Maunganui, which really set the tone for India’s strong start. Although she faced a rough patch with just 6 runs against New Zealand, she made a remarkable comeback with a stunning 123 against the West Indies in Hamilton, one of the tournament’s highlights that showcased her incredible timing and skill. Against the defending champions, England, she added 35 runs to the total, followed by 10 against Australia and 30 against Bangladesh. She continued to give India those crucial starts even when the middle order struggled.
In the group stage’s final match against South Africa, she delivered a fluent 71, keeping India in the game. Overall, across seven innings, Smriti scored 327 runs, maintaining an impressive average of 46.71, which included one century and two fifties. Her graceful yet composed batting style provided vital stability to India’s top order throughout the tournament. Although India narrowly missed out on a semi-final spot, Mandhana’s consistency and flair shone through, further establishing her as one of the finest left-handed batters in modern women’s cricket, a player who continues to anchor India’s World Cup aspirations with her quiet brilliance and style.
These remarkable performances not only highlight the talent within India’s women’s cricket team but also set a benchmark for future generations of cricketers to aspire to. Each of these players brought their unique flair and determination, making them true legends of the game.
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